Support Maria's Brave Fight Against Leukemia

To our Family, Friends, and Prayer Warriors. It is with heartbreak that we share Maria Fortner has been diagnosed with AML Leukemia. With your love and prayers, Maria fought and beat Stage 4 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma 4 years ago.

Maria earned a perfect bill of health 3 months ago from her Lymphoma Oncologists. A few weeks ago, she had a sore throat and was not feeling great. As they treated her at Medina Cleveland Clinic ER, her lab results in the ER were alarming, triggering a series of events leading to her diagnosis of Leukemia later that same week. She was immediately transported to Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Shock, grief, anger, were only a few emotions. With so many questions, and very little answers, one unfortunate fact we did learn was that there was a 3% chance her Lymphoma chemotherapy treatment would cause Leukemia later in her life.

On Monday, June 17th, Maria will start with an intensive 10 rounds of chemotherapy along with a new trial drug her wonderful Cleveland Clinic doctors worked hard to get her into. Following the success of the Chemotherapy, she will prepare for the journey of a Bone Marrow Transplant.

She will be full time at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for a minimum of 6 - 7 weeks receiving treatment, followed by 24/7 care. The best the doctors can currently estimate is at least one full year recovery process. During her recovery period, Maria will have to maintain close proximity to the Cleveland Clinic and will not be permitted to work. Based on the information provided by her doctors, 100% of her time will be directed towards healing for the next 12 months.

We pray for Maria. For her strength, courage and braveness. That she clings to her faith and keeps pushing forward to beat AML Leukemia. We pray Maria is matched with a Bone Marrow Donor. We pray she responds well to the chemotherapy and trial medication. We pray for her Doctors, Nurses, and family as they all care for Maria.

When asked how to help, Maria and her family have only been asking for prayers. With so many asking to support, we wanted to create a way to also help financially with the burdens Maria will be facing.