Hello everyone,

we are Alex and Melissa, we are 35 years old and have been living together for six years, sharing the joy of love and the struggle of coping with the illness that afflicts Melissa and which, for the past year, has prevented her from working and contributing to the mounting expenses we face on a daily basis.

We are Italian and have always worked in insurance consultancy, where we met and fell in love. We live in Milan in a rented flat and cannot even consider moving to a cheaper area precisely because of the constraints imposed by this unfortunate situation. Both our families are small units that have already done more for us than they could possibly afford.

The authorities and the health service pay us all the benefits provided for in such cases, but these amounts are paltry compared to the costs of everything she needs for her day-to-day care.

I have to work even longer hours to make ends meet, taking away time I could spend with her—time that has never been so precious.

The amount we are asking for, with your help, is a vital step that would allow me to reduce my working hours for about three months and finally have time to spend together; it would lighten the burden and cost of the medication, transport and special foods we always need to have on hand.

All of this is clearly documented and certified.

If it were up to us, we would invite all the benefactors who wish to contribute to this cause to dinner. Not least because Melissa loves cooking, and I can assure you she is an excellent cook.

We are counting on you, so that we can smile again and hold each other close for as long as a rare and delightful gem like Melissa deserves.