Health is Heritage: Sabrina's Fundraiser for AACHI

This May, I’m fundraising for the Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI) because I believe that healthcare is a human right — not a privilege tied to your how much money you make, where you come from, or what language you speak.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—a time to honor our histories, celebrate our cultures, and uplift our communities. Our Give In May campaign theme this year is Health is Heritage, and it resonates with me in ways I carry with me every day.

Two years ago, my mom suffered a stroke. She was uninsured. My dad, who doesn’t speak English, was left to navigate an unforgiving, unfamiliar hospital system, while waiting for my mom to wake up. Overnight, my family entered a world of hospital corridors, mounting bills, endless paperwork, and critical therapies — all in a language they could not understand. It was isolating. It was terrifying. And it revealed how quickly dignity can unravel when systems aren’t built for you.

I carry the question with me always: if I hadn’t spoken English, how would my family have navigated a system never meant for us?

That experience is why I’m honored to work at AACHI. We exist for moments like those — for families like mine. We offer in-language health navigation, culturally sensitive care coordination, and unwavering support to Asian communities in Austin. We are one of the only organizations here that does this work, and every day, I see the difference it makes when someone finally feels seen, heard, and cared for.

Preserving heritage isn’t just about honoring where we come from. It’s about safeguarding the well-being of those who carry our stories, our traditions, and our hopes for something better.

If you believe, as I do, that no one should have to fight alone for their health and humanity, I invite you to stand with us. In today’s shifting funding and policy landscape, organizations like AACHI are being stretched to the limit. Now more than ever, your support ensures our communities aren’t left behind.

Join me in supporting AACHI this May. Every dollar ensures that more families in our community can access the care they need — and deserve. Your gift isn’t just a donation—it’s a declaration that our community’s health matters.