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Zuza's Battle Against Leukemia-AML


My name is Ellen Menefee and I have started this gofundme account on behalf of our dearest friends, Dagmara, Ryan, and their beautiful and precious 3 1/2 year old daughter, Zuza. February 24th 2015 was a day that will forever have changed their lives, tested their faith, and forced them to face a long emotional and terrifying road ahead of them with no certain end in sight. Zuza had been presenting with months of intermittent fevers, cough, weakness, bruising, and extremity pains and on February 24th Dagmara and Ryan learned that their baby girl had acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. AML is a leukemia that is second among two leukemias most commonly seen in pediatric cancers, but unlike the more common ALL seen amongst children in Zuza's age group, AML has a more treacherous treatment plan with additional chemotherapeutic drugs, broader side effect spectrum, and sadly a lower survival rate when compared with the more common ALL. The road ahead for this family is scary but with the determination and strength of both Dagmara and Ryan and the fight that three year old little Zuza is preparing to wage- they will kick CANCERS a** and make it through the darkness and come out on the other side with a healthy little Zuza. 

In preparation for induction chemotherapy, including both chemo that Zuza will receive through her IV as well as into the spaces surrounding her spinal cord and brain, they will be inpatient at CHW for a period no short of five months. They will be monitoring Zuza's cancer response closely and may need to tailor their treatment directions accordingly. The goal is to get Zuza's cancer into immediate remission- and keep her in remission, which will be followed by years ahead of additional chemotherapy, and the possibilities they face of potentional radiation treatment, relapse, and/or transplant. The treatment plan in essence is uncertain now- and Dagmara and Ryan live day by day getting their little girl through the grueling side effects she experiences- while maintaining one another through the most horrific experience no parent should have to face. 

Given Zuza's age and severity and gruelling nature of her cancer and treatment plan, Dagmara and Ryan are forced to take intermittent leaves from their jobs in order to care for Zuza day to day in the hospital while maintaining normalcy as best they can for their young child at home, a beautiful little one year old named Fin. They have had to adjust their lives for an indefinate period of time and must depend on the help of wonderful family and friends as they put all their energy, love, sweat, and determination in waging a battle against this ugly monster AML that threatens the life of their little girl. They will without doubt face tremendous financial struggle and emotional upheaval that no parent could prepare for or anticipate.  

Please join us in helping them to face this long battle ahead and consider donating to a fund established to aid in medical expenses, child care, ongoing day to day expenses, and any additional needs they come by.  Open your hearts as we all can only imagine deep down of the fear, isolation, and uncertainty these two parents face in the fight to save their little girl, Zuza. The less they have to worry about the practical things in life they can focus on getting their baby through this and CURED!

Much gratitude and many blessings to you. Both Dagmara and Ryan appreciate your generosity more than they can express during this difficult time. 

Ellen and Thomas Menefee

NOW HELP US GO VIRAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...AND SHARE!!


    For Dagmara, Ryan, Zuza, and Fin
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Ellen Kincaid Menefee
Organizer
Milwaukee, WI

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