Support Maquiwa in her Fight against Cancer!

UPDATE 6/26:
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has been able to donate.  Good news and bad news in this update...

Good news first: your generosity allowed Maquiwa to visit MD Anderson this past week for an evaluation.  She will receive a PET scan on July 7th in which her doctors at KU MED as well as the doctors at MD Anderson will evaluate in combination with her genetic testing and pathology report. 

Bad News: Unfortunately on the way back from Houston, Maquiwa was experiencing severe pain and having trouble breathing.  Her sister rushed her to the ER after she deplaned.  She learned that her right lung had collapsed as a result of the cancerous nodules corroding her lung.  She was admitted and put on oxygen and has a machine removing any escaped air from her chest.  She will be in the hospital until the hole in her lung heals which could take several days.  We spoke this morning and she is in good spirits and will be taking this time at the hospital to relax and heal.  We will keep everyone posted on her progress and will let you know if anything changes. 

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Without these funds, she would have never been able to seek the care of MD Anderson, and we are anxious to see how it impacts her treatment plan in the coming weeks.  Please share with others and let's keep the momentum of giving going!

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Maquiwa and I first met in 2017, and we were instantly friends.  Maquiwa owns a small women-owned business that cleaned the office building where I previously worked.   Her warmth, sense of humor, and sharp wit made my coworkers and I instantly drawn to her.  We all became good friends and there were many late nights that I would look up from computer to see her smiling face working next to me.  We would cheer each other on during those times when we were tired and stressed, and she could always be relied upon to make me laugh when I needed it most.  Maquiwa is a single mom and her daughter Daijia often works alongside her wearing the same warm smile as her mother.

In February 2019, Maquiwa came to us with terrible news. She had been diagnosed with Stage 1 Adenosarcoma of the Cervix, a rare cancer.   Under the care of KU Medical Center, she underwent a hysterectomy in March with radiation treatment in June.  It was concluded that the cancer was removed, and she would continue to be monitored.  After she had recovered and felt up to it, we went out to celebrate.  A group of us went to Lydia’s, Maquiwa’s favorite restaurant, and stuffed ourselves with homemade pasta and tiramisu toasting to what we thought was the end of the cancer nightmare.

In November 2019, Maquiwa went in for a regularly scheduled scan.  It showed that she had a nodule on her lung.  The doctor advised that they would watch it and she would return in 3-4 months.  In March 2020, shortly before going to her doctor's appointment, she went to the ER barely able to breathe and pain through her chest and neck.  X-rays showed the cancer had come back and had aggressively grown and spread into her lungs, neck, and pelvis.  It was determined that it had reached her lymphatic system and surgery was no longer an option.  She underwent radiation in May as well as genetic testing.  As she currently awaits the outcome of the radiation, she was informed that the genetic testing revealed that the tumor includes a DICER-1 genetic mutation that cannot be treated by any drugs currently on the market. 

As Maquiwa works with her doctors at KU Med to develop her future treatment plan, her friends and family want desperately to alleviate her financial stress.  She continues to operate her cleaning business which can be physically demanding as well as puts her at great risk of contracting COVID.  She has recently lost some business making it difficult for her and her daughter to bring in income.  She has applied and been declined twice for PPP loans and is continuing to search for options to support her small business during this difficult economic time.  She lives with her daughter Daijia and is feeling the pressure of a mortgage, utilities, and growing hospital bills.

With so many things pulling for your attention at this time, her friends and family would lovingly ask that you consider supporting Maquiwa and her daughter. Maquiwa is one of the hardest working and most generous people I know.  She gives warm hugs, good advice, and loves to share a good meal.  She is a devoted mom, a KC native, and friend to many.  Please support Maquiwa and help her kick cancer’s butt!