Marina Figueroa Perez

Marina has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax-deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

My name is Marina, and I’m a mechanical engineering student living alone in Ohio while managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). My symptoms—rapid heart rate, dizziness, balance issues, and occasional fainting—make daily life unpredictable and sometimes unsafe, especially without family nearby.

A trained medical service dog would give me stability and independence. They can alert me before an episode, help me stay steady when I walk, retrieve items when I’m too dizzy to stand, and stay with me if I faint so I’m never alone during an emergency.

The cost of a fully trained service dog is more than I can afford as a full‑time student. Through Help Hope Live, every donation goes directly toward obtaining and training the dog that will help me live safely, continue my education, and regain confidence in my daily life.

Thank you for reading and for supporting my journey toward greater independence.