Why I Started a GoFundMe for My AdventHealth Bill

Why I Started a GoFundMe for My AdventHealth Bill

Every so often life throws you a curveball that isn’t dramatic enough for a memoir chapter but still manages to knock your balance off-kilter. For me, that curveball arrived in the form of a medical bill from AdventHealth — $530.26, no more and no less. It’s not the kind of number that makes headlines, but it’s exactly the kind of number that can derail a tight budget.

I’m not someone who likes asking for help. I’ve always tried to handle my own expenses, even when things were tight. But this bill landed at a moment when every dollar already has a job, and there’s no slack left in the rope. After looking at the statement, running the math, and trying to figure out how to absorb it without making the rest of the month collapse, I realized I couldn’t do it alone.

So I did something I’ve done only a few times before: I started a GoFundMe.

The campaign is simple and honest. I’m not trying to raise thousands. I’m not trying to cover a long hospital stay or a major surgery. I’m just trying to pay one bill — $530.26 — and stay afloat. I’ve already shared the link on Facebook and X, and I’m grateful for every person who’s taken a moment to read it, share it, or donate.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, you know the feeling: the mix of gratitude, embarrassment, relief, and hope. You want people to understand that you’re not looking for a handout — you’re looking for a lifeline. And you hope that the people who know you, or even those who don’t, will see the humanity in the request.

This blog post isn’t just an update. It’s a thank-you to everyone who’s already inclined to help, and an invitation to anyone who hasn’t seen the campaign yet. If you’re able to donate, I appreciate it more than I can say. If you can share the link, that helps too. And if all you can do is read this and wish me well, that still means something.

Here’s the link to the campaign: https://gofund.me/5b553ac47

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Thanks for caring. And thanks for helping me get through a moment that would have been a lot harder without you.