Over $6,000 has already been raised for a well-known member of the Warren community who recently suffered a cardiac episode and is reportedly in “critical, but stable” condition.

Michaela Balasco, who co-owned Balasco Pizzeria with her late husband, Steve, reportedly went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 2, according to a GoFundMe page that was started by Jenn Otto.

“On August 1, Michaela was feeling poorly and ended up going to the ER on August 2nd. It was there in the ER that she went into cardiac arrest (it is not lost on us that she was right where she needed to be when this happened though). Her heart was successfully restarted and a temporary pacemaker was placed while they continue to assess the situation,” the donation page reads. “As of the last update, she has a full heart block that needs to be addressed and resolved once doctors get a better idea of what's going on. In the meantime, she is in critical, but stable condition.”

The page details how the Balasco’s operated their pizzeria for years while also working to support various community events. After the loss of Steve Balasco on Christmas Eve of 2021, Michaela continued to raise money for a foundation in his name, and ultimately sold the pizza shop earlier this year. The GoFundMe biography says that Michaela had been looking for “what’s next” when she fell ill. Otto writes that Michaela wouldn’t ask for donations herself, so she took the initiative to do so, seeking $10,000 for the overall fundraising goal.

“I think Michaela is so used to being the one to help other people, it's unlikely she would reach out to ask for help,” the page reads. “I know, however, that while she's going through this life-threatening health crisis right now, the bills will continue to pile up without mercy and resuming her search for a job will have to be placed on hold for some time. On that note, Michaela is always the one to give to others, but now that she is in the midst of a crisis, I need YOUR help in changing of the guards!”