Emily Progin, Content Manager
[email protected] / 800.642.8399
Release: Immediate
HELP NEEDED TO FUND WHEELCHAIR VAN FOR WOMAN WITH ALS
Van Provides Access & Safety for Monica Camacho
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—In 2023, an ALS diagnosis changed Monica Camacho’s life forever. Urgent help is needed to fund a critical cost insurance does not cover: the wheelchair van that Monica relies on for medical appointments, spending time with her beloved 18-year-old granddaughter, and safely evacuating their home in case of emergencies such as wildfires.
Monica was born in British Guiana, now Guyana, and moved to California with her husband and two daughters in 1993. In September 2023, following multiple rigorous medical tests, her team found a shocking diagnosis: ALS.
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 to her impact as “classroom grandma” at Coyote Canyon Elementary School and “popcorn grandma” at Ruth Musser Middle School.
To stay safe, healthy, and connected to her community, Monica and her family need a wheelchair accessible van. Through a fundraising campaign with the trusted nonprofit Help Hope Live, Monica’s community raised enough to help her family put a down payment on a van, which is not covered by insurance despite its life-changing impact on Monica’s life and wellbeing.
However, fundraising is now critical to ensure the family can continue to make their monthly payments and keep the van. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the nonprofit Help Hope Live at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/24217/
The need is especially dire in light of wildfire dangers: Monica’s family relies on the van to evacuate her to safety in case of an emergency.
In addition to the peace of mind it provides for medical access and evacuation, the van has enabled reconnection with the community and precious time with family, including visiting close friends, attending two ALS walks, and participating in the Relay for Life to support Monica’s childhood cancer team.
“It has alleviated a lot of stress,” explained daughter Michelle. “This van has given her some security, freedom to experience the outside world again, and the chance to spend precious quality time with her family, including her beloved grand-cats. Any opportunity we get, we take her out for some peace of mind, comfort, and decompression from this awful illness.”
Monica made her maiden voyage in the van to pick up her beloved 18-year-old granddaughter Victoria from school—something she had not been able to do for over a year prior. As daughter Michelle explained, Victoria “is her heart and soul—they just have an unspoken bond.”
As the community helps provide financial support so they can pay off this life-changing van, “we keep the faith, never give up hope, cherish the moments, and live the best life we can in this situation,” said Michelle.
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered 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. ###
