A Lupus Warrior Needs Heart Surgery & Kidney Treatment Funds

UPDATE: The surgery date has been pushed back and will have Liliana out of commission longer than originally expected.

Help a Lupus Warrior in Need - Open Heart Surgery & Kidney Treatment Fund

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are reaching out today with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits as our beloved friend, Liliana Fuentes, faces yet another daunting health challenge. Many of you have supported her before, and we are beyond grateful for your kindness. Now, we find ourselves once again turning to our community for help as she navigates unexpected open-heart surgery and an aggressive battle with lupus nephritis.

Liliana has been fighting since the tender age of 12, when she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that has plagued her with numerous complications. In 2020, she bravely underwent open-heart surgery to replace her deteriorating heart valve, only to find out recently that the valve has already deteriorated, faster than anyone expected. After a terrifying week of struggling to breathe, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and doctors have determined she needs another open-heart surgery immediately.

As if that wasn’t enough, on top of this looming surgery, Liliana has also been battling an aggressive resurgence of lupus nephritis, a severe form of kidney disease. Despite several rounds of treatments this year, her kidneys have suffered permanent damage. Once she recovers from surgery, she will begin powerful infusion treatments (cyclophosphamide) in an effort to save her kidney function. These treatments carry their own risks and side effects, adding even more uncertainty to her road ahead.

Through all of this, Liliana continues to shine. Her resilience, positivity, and bubbly spirit inspire everyone around her. She has fought this battle for so long, enduring countless hospitalizations and treatments with grace, even while facing one life-threatening complication after another. But right now, what she needs most is rest, recovery, and relief from the financial stress of medical bills and living expenses.

This GoFundMe aims to cover 4-6 months of Liliana’s bills while she undergoes surgery and begins kidney treatments. We are hoping to raise enough to allow her to focus solely on healing without the worry of how she’ll keep a roof over her head, pay for utilities, or manage day-to-day expenses. With everything happening so suddenly, the last thing she needs is the added weight of financial stress.

We’ve seen the power of community before, and we believe in it now more than ever. Anything you can give—whether it’s a donation, a share, or words of encouragement—will mean the world to her. She’s been fighting so bravely, but this time, she needs our help.

Thank you for your continued support, love, and generosity. Let’s come together for our lupus warrior once more, and show her that she’s not alone in this fight.