Emily Progin, Content Manager
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FUNDRAISING SECURES LIFE-CHANGING VAN FOR WOMAN WITH ALS
Monica Camacho’s First Trip: Visiting Her Beloved Granddaughter
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—In September 2023, three small letters forever changed daily life for Monica Camacho and her loving family: ALS. Today, Monica and her family are sharing their thanks to the community for bringing an accessible van within reach for Monica through a fundraising campaign with Help Hope Live.
Daughter Michelle says, “The van has made a tremendous difference in her life. She was able to fill a Thanksgiving basket for families in need, and she went to church these past two weeks.” Monica made her maiden voyage in the new van to pay a special visit her beloved granddaughter.
Monica was born and raised in British Guiana, now Guyana. She moved to California with her husband and two daughters in 1993. Monica has had profound involvement in the Rancho Cucamonga community for decades, from “cooking up a storm” for relatives and friends to serving as the secretary for St. Ambrose Church.
Monica is the Classroom Grandma at Coyote Canyon Elementary School, where all the teachers asked her to help decorate their classrooms. At Ruth Musser Middle School, she adds her eye for décor to the annual book drive and sale and the end-of-the-trimester awards party.
“She attended every school event for me and Karen from kindergarten to college,” explained daughter Michelle.
Monica continued that dedication to her family as she welcomed beloved granddaughter Victoria into her life. Now 17 years old, “Victoria is her heart and soul,” explained Michelle. “Victoria still curls up in Monica’s lap. They have an unspoken bond where they nestle their faces together and they just light up.”
Through a medical fundraising campaign with the nonprofit Help Hope Live, Monica’s community was able to fuel new hope with an accessible van for Monica.
Within her family and beyond, giving back has always been a way of life for Monica. She has maintained an independent and active lifestyle into her early 70s full of community service. Just last year, “she made custom candles of hope for Relay for Life until her hands could no longer continue.”
Granddaughter Victoria has picked up the torch, serving as the team captain for a family team to fundraise to fight childhood cancer.
In early 2023, Monica began to get weaker, lose her balance, and experience fatigue. In September 2023, following multiple rigorous medical tests, her team finally found a shocking diagnosis: ALS.
The van represents a huge milestone, but fundraising with Help Hope Live is still a critical part of a healthy, mobile, and independent future for Monica. Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/24217/
“This illness is terrifying, and the uncertainty takes a tremendous toll,” explained Michelle. “Our only option is to keep the faith, never give up hope, cherish the moments, and live the best life in the current situation.”
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
