Support Azalia Davila-Garcia

Sometimes it only takes one word to turn your whole world upside down. That’s exactly what happened to Azalia Davila-Garcia, a 33 year-old mother, wife and teacher whose life was turned upside down with a single word; cancer. 

Azalia is a mother to two boys, Hugo (6) and Franco (2), and wife of 8 years to her high school sweetheart, Jaime. She teaches 2nd grade to a group of vibrant and exciting 7-year-olds at Wernecke Elementary; a devoted Christian and patient daughter. Life for her was “normal” and uneventful until she discovered a lump on her breast. A lump that continued to grow, and she refused to disregard in spite of a negative physical exam and mammogram. Luckily, her insistence in further testing confirmed what she prayed it wouldn’t; cancer.

Many people whom she confided in told her that she was already a survivor, a fact she hesitated to accept even though she was told that she became a survivor at diagnosis. But why? How is she a survivor if the fight had not yet begun? Well, you see, the fight began when she didn’t give up and continued asking for tests; it began when she accepted positive test results after she prayed endlessly for negative ones. Her fight for her life started when she had to sit around and wait for more tests, more scans, and more blood work, with a straight face so her children wouldn’t notice her pain and her fear. She now knows, she is a survivor and more importantly… a fighter! She has even began to celebrate her small victories; a negative PET scan, which confirmed the cancer was localized to her breast only and acceptance into a trial treatment in one of the most prestigious oncology centers in the United States.

This acceptance came after her insurance refused to pay for her treatment locally since the treatment for this type of cancer required a “trial” drug not yet approved for payment. Her insurance company refused to pay $50 for a single medication that raised her chances of survival by 80% and decreased her chances of relapse by 37%. Many friends and all her family offered to pay for the drug, but it’s not that simple. See, if Azalia were to ever be hospitalized as a result of her treatment, then her insurance would not cover the hospitalization at all since this drug is part of the treatment and not approved by the insurance company. The possibilities of her being hospitalized due to side effects of her treatment are about as high as the possibility of death if cancer goes untreated. Hospitalizations occur for things such as dehydration, anemia, low blood counts, infections, among so many other side effects of chemo.   At MD Anderson, however, things are different. Treatment is not denied based on insurance issues or inability to pay. This treatment center is a 6 hour drive from Azalia’s hometown.  Jaime, her husband, has to take off work to help drive Azalia to her treatment which, unfortunately, continues to add a financial burden for their family. Although, the possibilities of making a full recovery are very high, the hardships she will face to achieve survival will be many.

This journey will be difficult physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially.  The costs of treatment, medication, and traveling will be overwhelming.  This page was created on Azalia’s behalf to help her and her family with immediate healthcare costs and traveling expenses. If you would like to help Azalia and her family, please consider donating to assist them throughout this trying and challenging time.