*5/31/23 Update: It’s been almost two years, and my dad is still dealing with the consequences of this health issue. He has since then broken his foot and had several infections due to his diabetes in his foot, and on top of it, was involved in a car accident that was not his fault, but put him out of a job (Uber) until he can repair his car. If you are able to and find it in your heart to donate, we would be so grateful as a family to help get my dad back on his feet.

*8/2/21 Update: Thank you all for your support. My dad was in a rehabilitation center for several weeks, and has now been home for several more weeks. He regularly visits his podiatrist, stays home 6/7 days of the week, and limits his physical movement to prevent any complications to his wound. He is applying for short term disability, but we are unsure when that will be processed. His podiatrist thinks this wound will not be fully healed for another year, at least. Please, donate what you can until short term disability goes through.

*6/19/21 Update: Thank you everyone for your support thus far. My dad was released from the hospital last Saturday, 6/12/21, to move to a rehabilitation center. As of today, he is expected to be in the rehabilitation center until July 18th (a little over a month). Of course, he still has bills to pay, and cannot work. There has been no progress on short or long term disability, unfortunately. We are taking it one step at a time, and are blessed that insurance is covering the stay in rehab. If you are able to help with the continued cost of bills, please donate or share. Thank you so much.

*6/6/21 Update: We thank everyone for your continued support. On Thursday, 6/3/21, my dad had a second artery expansion done in his foot. On Friday, 6/4/21, he had another surgery on his foot to clean up the amputation site and had several skin grafts done on the site. Following a complication, he lost a lot of blood and had to have two blood transfusions as a result. He is doing well now, but the end is not in sight yet. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers, as the road to recovery is going to be very long. Share and donate if you are able.

*6/1/21 Update: On Friday, 5/28/21, my father had his pinky toe and surrounding flesh removed due to infection. He is still in the hospital, recovering, and we do not know how long his recovery period will be following this amputation. If you are able to donate, please do, and if you cannot, please share. Thank you everyone for your support.

*5/28/21 Update: Yesterday my dad had an expander procedure in the artery in his left leg to increase blood flow to his foot. He said it was excruciating and psychologically hard. He will be staying at the hospital over the weekend, and by Monday will have a procedure/surgery on his foot. Because there are four bacterial cultures in his foot, they are not sure yet how the procedure will go, and it may include the amputation of his pinky toe. At this time, he is not eligible for unemployment because he is still employed without pay, and does not qualify for disability because this has not been an issue for a year yet. We are looking into short term disability and other options for assistance. Thank you for your support and please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

*5/25/21 Update: My dad is now in a hospital room, going through tests, an MRI, and an X-ray. He is on a drip IV of antibiotics because he has many different bacterial cultures in his foot wound. He is exhausted. We will know in the coming days what treatment looks like, possibly toe amputation. Thank you for all your support, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

My name is Bella Kitzis. My dad, Sam Kitzis, needs more help than what I can do for him, so I am asking the community to help me save his life.

Over two months ago, he was admitted to the ER for congestive heart failure. While he was there, nurses discovered a quarter-sized wound on the bottom of his foot. My dad has diabetes, and cannot feel his feet, so he had no idea. After staying in the hospital for a week, he was put on an at-home IV drip for two more weeks. We thought it was healed.

Now he is back in the hospital due to a bacterial infection of the foot and associated complications. He has been out of work this entire time (nearly 3 months) due to having to keep his foot elevated to heal. He still holds his job as an account representative for Elliot Management Company, but cannot go into work because of his foot. He was also Uber-ing, but again, cannot drive.

We ask for help covering one month of expenses at this time. This includes $379 for his car payment, $141 for insurance, $525 for rent, $115 for his phone bill, $100 for JEA, and the rest for his doctor’s copays/insulin copays, and food. Without these funds, everything he has worked for in the last year will be gone.

My father is a selfless man. Three years prior to his current job at Elliot (started in Jan. 2020), he quit his job to become a full time caregiver for his elderly parents. In three years, he watched his father pass, and then helped his mother cope with the loss, and tended to her as an elderly disabled woman. My dad lived with them, went without pay, and devoted all of his time to their care. He was there for her, feeding her, changing her wound care, until the day she passed, in October 2019.

You can also give money directly to my PayPal, bkitzis98@gmail.com, or his Venmo, @samuel-kitzis.

Thank you for reading, and hearing our story. We will update this page as we get more information.

Help Sam Kitzis

By Bella Kitzis

Help Sam Kitzis

Extended hospitalization has put Sam out of work for months, & needs help covering bills.