In 2025 we started our journey to liver transplant with Cruz. It has been established as a treatment option for individuals with Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). Although it is not a cure some of the benefits that come with a liver transplant is the ability to have a less restrictive diet and more importantly reduced risk of metabolic crises which have more times than not resulted in cerebral edema, ataxia and hospitalization. We hope this decision will ensure an improved quality of life for Cruz. We are excited for this opportunity but obviously also filled with conflicting emotions. Since diagnosis day at four days old the support of all of you helped get us through and we know we can't get through this next chapter without it. Thank you!


En 2025, iniciamos nuestro camino hacia el trasplante de hígado con Cruz. Se ha consolidado como una opción de tratamiento para personas con la enfermedad de la orina con olor a jarabe de arce (MSUD). Si bien no es una cura, algunos de los beneficios del trasplante de hígado incluyen la posibilidad de tener una dieta menos restrictiva y, aún más importante, la reducción del riesgo de crisis metabólicas que, en la mayoría de los casos, han provocado edema cerebral, ataxia y hospitalización. Esperamos que esta decisión le garantice una mejor calidad de vida a Cruz. Estamos entusiasmados por esta oportunidad, pero también llenos de emociones encontradas. Desde el día del diagnóstico, a los cuatro días de vida, el apoyo de todos ustedes nos ayudó a superar esta etapa y sabemos que no podremos superarla sin él. ¡Gracias!

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Carolina Quijada

Love for Cruz

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Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world.
Why We Love This Gift: Because it is coffee. We love this gift for that reason, but also because coffee (and tea) can facilitate conversation. People stop and talk over coffee and tea. Barista-made cups of coffee or steaming cups of hot tea are among life's "little" indulgences - the kind of thing that lifts people up. They are also among the first things people slash from tight budgets. Help them put it back. This gift is suitable for anyone to whom you want to express concern, consideration, or love. Also, here is a hot tip: teenagers love Starbucks. It is a great gift for a teenager.
What to Express in Your Card: I was just thinking about you as you grapple with recent events. I hope you will take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee - I know you are a latte fan. Maybe we can even meet for a cup? I'd love to know how you are doing and what I can do to be helpful. I send you lots of love.

Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world.

Starbucks - Starbucks Gift Card

With your favorite restaurants at your fingertips, DoorDash satisfies your cravings and connects you with possibilities -- more time and energy for yourself and those you love.
Why We Love This Gift: In every situation, food is necessary. Let your recipient select exactly what they want to eat - and have it delivered. Win and Win.
What To Express in Your Card: I am thinking of you and I want you to eat something that appeals to you. You choose. xo

DoorDash

DoorDash - DoorDash Gift Card

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Amazon gift cards never expire and they carry no fees. Redeemable towards millions of items at Amazon.com and also certain affiliated websites. Deliverable electronically and instantly.
Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because it's appropriate for any situation. Let your recipient choose just what they need, when they need it... with ease, convenience, and endless options.
What To Express In Your Card: I'm sending you my love.

Amazon.com

Amazon

Amazon.com - Amazon Gift Card

Give the gift of take-out. Seriously, the perfect gift for any situation.
Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because it is take-out and everyone loves take-out. It gives your recipient the flexibility to order exactly what they want, when they want it. Pregnancy cravings are no joke. Neither is the stress level of a single parent on a school night. Young professionals who get sick often hate the loss of their own agency. The capacity to choose one's own dinner is not to be underestimated. Nothing says I love you like Pad Thai.
What To Express in Your Card: I wanted you to be able to choose your own meal. I am thinking of you!

Grubhub

Grubhub - Grubhub Gift Card

What is the best gift anytime? A Target eGift Card. With no fees and no expiration dates, the real question is: who couldn't use a gift card from Target?
Why We Love This Gift: Whether as a baby gift or to replenish supplies around the house, to cheer up a sick kid, or help someone with prescription costs, you can almost always find exactly what you need at Target. We love this gift because it enables your recipient with endless options and the ability to purchase precisely what they need - no questions asked.
What To Say In Your Card: I thought this might come in handy. I am sending you so much love!

Target

Target - Target Gift Card

This e-gift card allows access to all Walmart products. Useful for anyone anywhere.
Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because it offers access to things like pharmacies when a family you love is in need. Many aspects of surgical care are not covered by insurance - these expenses can add up. This is especially true when a family is on a fixed income. Items like canes, walkers, surgical gauze, and more - can all be underwritten in this way. (Bonus: It respects, as well, the privacy and dignity of the person you love). Supplements that are doctor recommended (always check) can also be covered in this manner. Walmart also just has everything so for someone who has lost their job it enables them to get what they need without spelling it all out. People are proud.
What To Express in Your Card: You'd do exactly the same. xo

Walmart

Walmart - Walmart Gift Card

Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf&reg; is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States.
Embodying a passion for connecting loyal customers to one another with carefully handcrafted products, the company is known for sourcing and providing the finest ingredients and flavors from around the world.
Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because a good cup of coffee is a perfect indulgence, especially for coffee lovers. It is delicious and a lovely way to remind someone you care about that you are thinking of them - giving your recipient the option to enjoy their coffee in-store or order their favorite blend online.
What To Express In Your Card: Do you have time for a cup of coffee? I would love to hear how you are doing. I am sending you all my love.

The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf&reg;

Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf® is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States.

The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf&reg; - The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Gift Card

This gift is perfect and very useful for almost anyone. Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the United States - so it allows the recipient to choose their own present.
This gift is perfect if you are not sure what grocery stores your loved one has nearby. The Kroger family is huge, including supermarkets like Fred Meyer, QFC, Fry's, Baker's, Food 4 Less, and much, much more. You can be sure your loved one is nearby a Kroger store and has access to what they need.
Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because we really like things that are convenient. For people on a budget, this is a real concern.
What To Say In Your Card: I wanted to give you a little something that gives you options.

Kroger

Author Pamela Stockwell, photographed by daughter Kiana Stockwell

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Pamela Stockwell

Author Pamela Stockwell shares her experience becoming a living organ donor for a fellow writer, whom she's never even met in-person!

"My Kidney's Going to California!" A Living Organ Donor Story

One year ago this month, in March 2021, my daughter and I drove to South Carolina to see my dad. At one point, she was driving, so I checked Facebook to while away the time and I see that my friend and fellow writer Kelly Hartog had posted a plea for a kidney. I knew [&hellip;]

Sitting on a patch of grass outside on a sunny day, Kelly, a woman with long red hair wearing a pink long sleeved blouse embraces and kisses the cheek of a blonde adult golden retriever, Bronte. Photographed by Ivan Solis.

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Kelly and Bronte

Kelly Hartog

Author Kelly Hartog needs a kidney transplant. Read about her incredible journey, in her own words, finding community, connection, and a donor during a time of isolation.

Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipient Tells Her Story

THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! After a long and stressful process (about a year, but who&#8217;s counting?), my living kidney donor has been approved and I will undergo my lifesaving transplant surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles on March 29. I suffer from polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic, hereditary disease that ultimately shuts down [&hellip;]

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Lori Shaffer

Surgery / Injury

The road to recovery after a heart transplant is a full-time job. Kathleen waited for three years for her new heart. Read her story.

Heart Transplant Gives Second Chance - Give InKind

The road to recovery after a heart transplant is a full time job. After three years of waiting, and two prior attempts, on November 14, 2020, Kathleen received her new heart.   Kathleen suffered from congenital heart disease. She underwent her first surgery was in 2002 for a mitral valve prolapse. After the surgery, she had [&hellip;]

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