Supporting Maria Through Cancer

Thank you for anything you can give! Truly, even the smallest donation can make the biggest difference when we all come together to give back to this amazing woman who has selflessly helped so many others in her lifetime.

Maria's Story

Maria has dedicated her life to fostering connections between people and the resources they need, a mission she has been committed to through her career in the nonprofit sector. Yet, life's unpredictability knows no bounds, and Maria, who has always been the one offering help, now finds herself in the throes of her own harrowing journey.

In February 2021, Maria encountered her worst fear — deeply rooted since the loss of her father to colon cancer in 1989. Despite her proactive efforts including starting colonoscopies at 35, Maria was diagnosed with a large, stage four colon tumor.

The shock was intensified by the fact that she had a clean bill of health from a colonoscopy only eight months prior.

The ensuing months saw Maria undergo a colon resection, liver resection, and a grueling regimen of 12 rounds of chemotherapy. She even overcame what was described as the world's largest abdominal hernia with yet another surgery. A brief moment of joy came with the news that she was cancer-free, but it was ephemeral. Less than a year later, her cancer returned, igniting another fierce battle against the relentless disease.

Maria has been told by her oncologist that her fight with Stage 4 colon cancer will be a lifelong one, due to the aggressive nature of her condition.

To date, she has endured 15 chemotherapy treatments and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. These treatments, necessary as they are, bring debilitating side effects such as fatigue, weakness and nausea, impacting her cognitive and mental health.

As a single woman with two adopted senior pets, Maria's financial burdens are mounting.

Denver's rising property taxes are squeezing her budget, and the escalating costs of utilities, car insurance and healthy foods—crucial for her care—are relentless pressures. Her medical expenses are steep, having exhausted her flex spending account and facing an $8,000 out-of-pocket ceiling.

Maria's resilience shines through as she continues to work full-time, though she's uncertain how much longer she can keep up. With her employer's support, she has the option of family leave which would benefit her health but cut her income in half, a terrifying prospect.

Over the next seven months, Maria faces a daunting financial challenge. She needs funds for:

The total comes to over $10,000 -- excluding the unknowns that life invariably presents.

As someone who has always stood as a pillar for those in need, Maria now needs our support. Here's some ways you can help:

Donate to her cause with with a one-time donation or a regular sum on a weekly or monthly basis. You can donate here via GoFundMe or offline via Maria's Venmo.

Thank you so much for your help. Anything you can do will mean so much to Maria during the hardest time of her life.