Campaign Story

My husband and I have dreamed of having our own child since we first met during the challenging times of COVID. One of our deepest desires is to pass on our family names and legacies, as we are the last males in both of our family lines.

My family fled Vietnam during the Vietnam War, seeking refuge and a better life in the United States. Armando’s family also sought freedom and opportunity, immigrating from Mexico. Both our families endured immense hardships to build a life here. Armando’s mother walked miles to sell tortillas on the streets, doing whatever she could to make ends meet. My family lived in a cramped three-bedroom apartment with 15 relatives, sleeping on floors and in hallways. We were not born into wealth; we worked tirelessly to ensure we had a roof over our heads.

Now, our only surviving grandparent is my 92-year-old grandfather. He was diagnosed with throat cancer last year and struggles to eat and swallow, relying on a feeding tube for nutrition. My grandpa doesn’t know that I’m gay and often urges me to marry and have children so he can spend time with his great-grandson. It breaks my heart to disappoint him, so I tell him I’m saving money and will have a child soon. Earlier this year, the doctor warned that my grandpa might not survive chemo. As an Asian family, we didn’t tell him the severity of his condition but encouraged him to fight hard and live. I promised him he would meet his great-grandson next year if he beats this “sickness”.

As for Armando and I, we have been saving for years to start this surrogacy process with an agency. However, hearing that our fertilization process did not produce any embryos and the eggs dead on day 6 was devastating and we needed to deposit additional funds to continue phase 1.

With a turn of event, my grandpa surprisingly perseverance, he recently beat chemo September 2024 at the age of 92! And I now can’t break my promise and need to have a child before he passes, so he can see his and our bloodline continuing for generations to follow.