Help Joyce Santos FIGHT Cancer!

After months of enduring upper back pain from violently slipping, our mom went to Guam in June of 2023 get an MRI. We thought the whole time that she might have pulled a muscle but the MRI revealed a tumor on her C7 vertebrae with the tumor causing a compression fracture. A biopsy was performed and weeks later our mom was advised by her doctor that the tumor was cancerous. Further tests on the tumor discovered that she has Ewings Sarcoma which is a bone cancer seldom found in adults. The cancer is so uncommon in adults that doctors were initially unsure on how to treat her. She spent two months on Guam for radiation treatment, which helped reduce the size of the tumor, and was then advised to obtain chemotherapy. Being that her cancer is so rare, we felt it necessary to seek the best care possible for her. So after thorough research we believed it was best for our mom to get further treatment from oncologists at the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute in Boise, Idaho. This was the right decision specific to getting the best medical care but it’s had an impact on our parent’s finances. Leaving Saipan meant that mom had to leave her job temporarily and that dad would have to work remotely only returning to Saipan, when possible. Even with good medical insurance, the cost in getting cancer treatment is very expensive. Mom & dad have been here in Boise since September of 2023 and by the grace of God hopefully mom’s treatments will be done this summer with the cancer in full remission. We sincerely appreciate any assistance you can provide our parents as this will help them get by the most challenging time of their lives. From the bottom of our hearts, Dångkulu na si Yu’us ma’åse!