Hello,

I am a 62-year-old female. I have no children, no family to speak of. I have lived alone since 2008. I have been diagnosed with a chronic disease. I have it mostly under control with medication. I have been struggling to maintain my life. I have not earned a paycheck since 2022. I have applied to no less than 10 jobs each and every day. In response, I get "Thanks, but we are moving forward with other candidates" as a response to my application. The rejection has me deep in depression. Although I am depressed, I start every day with thanks to God and a fresh mindset.

I lived off of savings and credit cards in 2022 and 2023. I was able to get an overnight job at a hotel but the stress related to the patrons and my medical condition ended after 11 months. My car got repossessed. I was able to redeem it. I started driving rideshare to pay my bills. I filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy but that failed because I could not afford the monthly payment. Driving rideshare is a horror. Some days I made less than the cost of the gas I needed to make the drives. Rideshare does not support the drivers. Again, the stress and my condition made it impossible. In 6 months, I did 1,002 rides, 36,000 miles on my vehicle, went through a shattered windshield, replaced three tires and my health suffered.

During this time, I also donated plasma to increase my available cash. I went from being a high earner, fully self-sufficient, working 8-5 and living a very recluse life to having $30.00 in my account with nowhere to expect more money. My tires are all shot so I can no longer drive rideshare. I do not even have gas money. Rent is due. Insurance is due. Electric is due. I have been having thoughts of suicide. I love God and I am only here typing this because God told me to ask for help. I have reached out to my local Social Services but everyone says there are no funds. I am destitute and I do not know what to do. I try to stay outside of my small apartment because when I am alone my depression kicks in and bad thoughts surround me. I do not know where to turn. I never thought that my life would take such a drastic turn, where I could not manage my own life. I need help.

My day today... I got up and showered. I got dressed. I got in my car to find that the front tires which had been patched were leaking. I drove to AutoZone and got a bottle of Fix a Flat. I then drove to the area where the Plasma donation Center was hoping to get the stipend for a donation. I parked my car in a locked parking lot 6 blocks from the Plasma Center because the repo people are looking for it again. I walked the 6 blocks with my cane. I sat in the lobby for 1 hour trying to get my heart rate together. My first attempt at clearance failed because my heart rate was 117. You cannot donate if you are over 99. They gave me 15 minutes to rest and try again. The stress shot my rate up to 121. I was deferred. The stipend slipped away. I walked the 6 blocks back to where I had parked my car. I drove to a nearby church and just sat in the parking lot. I called but no one answered the phone. I was hungry and beyond depressed. I drove home. God told me to just ask. I am asking. Please help me.

I am ashamed, alone and afraid. A $5.00 donation would help me so much. I need money to live daily just like everyone. I would never have thought I needed to asks but I have nowhere else to turn. Thank you.