Keira and Tapia Tribe Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer family fund

I am fundraising for the Tapia family. Leisa (my sister) and Chris have 5 sweet and beautiful children. Keira (17) has been fighting stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma for almost three years. She has just relapsed for the 2nd time and her new chemos aren’t working. Since Feb 2022 Keira has done treatment 11 hours away from home and it’s caused significant emotional and financial burden on the entire family.

Last November Leisa herself found out she had a mass in her pancreas that had to be removed along with part of her pancreas- it was also cancerous, however thankfully not agressive and it was fully respected. Leisa lost wages at the beginning of the year due to this, but pushed to go back to work less than 4 weeks after surgery . She is an amazing PA also while being there for Keira and the whole family. She has been denied FMLA many times over the past several years, which means the family went without wages for Leisa’s recovery and every time she is able to be with Keira for treatment. Keira since diagnosis Keira has only ever been off treatment for a short 2-3 months and she is currently trying palliative treatments to see if disease spread can slow down and to help limit symptoms. Chris has stepped back from his jobs (amazingly skilled carpenter/construction) as he has been commuting a lot with Keira to Memphis for her treatments, scans and appointments. (Leisa has also been there as much as she can and still keep her employment and benefits.)

Recently Keira has relapsed again, with a significant increased in pain. She chose to do a stronger chemo combo and again lost her hair and was away from family much of the last 3 months. Unfortunately the most recent scans don’t show disease improvement. They are looking into second opinions and consults for drug trials and they are also still hoping to make some memories happen. (These consults start usually at minimum $1000 just to schedule and additional fees and travel costs - did I mention none of Keira’s cancer treatment has been covered by Leisa’s health insurance?)

They’re being harshly kicked when they’re already down by the healthcare system my sister works so hard for. (I’ve watched my sister chart after clinic hours painstakingly making sure everything is perfectly recorded for her patients. Her heart is her family and her patients. I’ve seen it first hand.) Even though they have been dealt all the trials anyone could imagine having to withstand, they’re being dealt more.

I don’t know what else to say other than no one should have to go through the hellish things I’ve seen this family go through the last 2-3 years. And even though it’s hard and unfair and stressful and draining and unimaginable in so many other ways, they still manage to show up for each other and so many others.

Please join me in showing up for them.

All donations will go to costs associated with medical care/travel, will also cover bills/living expenses and if possible aid in home modifications needed to keep Keira comfortable at home and make home more accessible. Donations may also help with any family trips or events so they can continue to make memories together.

Keira’s unmet dreams/wishes are still to go to Europe and her parents would still love for her to get her license and get a car and have a small taste of normal teenage independence.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C04-VpSOqQs/?igsh=NXFjaGtlM256OWo=