Help Stella Fight Cancer

On September 23rd, 2016, my life and the lives of my family members changed forever. It was that day we learned that my sister, Stella, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

A week prior to the diagnosis, Stella had been complaining of increasing back pain. At first, we simply thought she was under a lot of stress. But when lab tests showed abnormalities in her blast cells, we started to realize it wasn’t that simple. It was at that moment that our worst fears became a reality. The pain that she was experiencing was actually a result of the cancer cells multiplying in her bone marrow, causing her unimaginable pain.




It was extremely difficult for my family to accept this, but it was especially heartbreaking for me. I couldn’t understand how this could happen to someone who has never wronged anyone, let alone someone who is so kind and selfless to everybody she meets.  A few days after she got admitted to the hospital, I went to go visit her. I tried my best to stay strong, but I completely lost it when I saw she was unable to walk just one lap around the oncology unit, even with the assistance from an oxygen tank. I struggled to believe that just 2 weeks prior, she was lively, active and cheerful.  She had to be helped back to her room with a wheelchair and that’s when I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. She then noticed I was crying and she turned to me and said, “Don’t cry Steve, everything is going to be ok.” This is the epitome of who my sister is. She is a strong and resilient woman who always aims to take care of others even when she is weak. She not only accepted her diagnosis, but she strives to give our family hope and strength throughout this process.

Stella was diagnosed with a type of cancer that is more common among young children. Unfortunately, when this type of cancer is found in adults, it is much more difficult to treat and the cycles of chemotherapy has to be amped up in order to kill off all the cancerous cells. While her body is valiantly fighting this battle, I realize that perhaps the biggest obstacle she faces when she gets out of the hospital are her finances.




My sister is a single mother to a 4 year old named Mason (who has his own set of health problems). She hasn’t been able to work for over a month while she’s at the hospital, so I know that her growing pile of bills will be even more daunting when she returns. She was already struggling before and was just getting by with her mortgage, child custody attorney fees and living expenses. Now, I am extremely afraid that her hospital bills and all the associated fees will be more than she can handle.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/leukemia/the-high-cost-of-leukemia-treatment.aspx


Her doctor says that her road to recovery will be a long and rigorous one. They have created a pretty extensive treatment plan that includes multiple cycles of chemotherapy that will last between  8 months to a year. In the meantime, she won’t be able to physically work as her main focus will be on getting better.

I know she won’t openingly ask for help, because Stella never does. So I have decided to create this page so that friends, family and anyone who relates to the battle against cancer can join together to help support my sister.  Please help me get this message out to as many people as you can and keep her in your prayers.  My goal is to raise enough money to cover all of her medical expenses, but even if it doesn't, I am sure it will go a long way. 

My family appreciates all the love, support and donations you can provide.  I have faith that she will eventually win this battle and when she does, she will have one less thing standing in the way of her living life to the fullest.

Thank you and God Bless...