Nya's Hope #nyastrong
Donation protected
Nya Faith Jaquez fought and fought and FOUGHT for three long years. October 16th 2016 at 5:37am she won the battle when she returned home to our Creator.
As true to her spirit, she remained giggly, goofy, brave, positive, and smiling through it all no matter the circumstances.
After undergoing bowel surgery and extensive chemo therapy in late 2013 and early 2014, it was confirmed through exploratory surgery that Nya’s cancer had returned in the fall of 2015. It had returned as a stage IV peritoneal cancer. Nya received treatment from the only Oncology Surgeon in the state of Washington who had privileges to perform a HIPEC procedure also known as “heated chemotherapy”. Two days before the procedure they found out it would not be covered by medical insurance due to the “newness” of the treatment and rarity of the cancer. As any parent would, Kasandra and Doug did not hesitate to tell the doctors to go ahead with the procedure knowing it would give Nya a chance to shine her light and bright smile that much longer. Can you imagine being put in that position?
That past year although filled with almost constant pain, weight and hair loss, Nya remained strong and in great spirits; “trying not to think about it” were her words during interviews. She wanted to be a normal girl, not known as the girl with cancer. Faced with the constant challenge of wanting to be at school, play sports, hang out with friends, but still knowing she and her family were very mindful taking care of her fragile body. Nya accomplished so much this last year and had many memorable moments. We are all so proud of #nyastrong!
Nya lives up to the hashtag created in her honor; #nyastrong; making the dean’s list, playing varsity golf her first year trying and going to state, being a model for a day although she was tired she powered through the demanding hair, makeup and elaborate photoshoot. Her strength brought people together, her smile left a lasting impression on all. God makes no mistakes, none whatsoever. He gave Nya purpose she showed friends, family and strangers what it meant to be strong, to carry on, to take a leaps of faith, to just be an all-around great and loving soul.
Nya had a rare form of cancer called, “Signet Ring Carcinoma.” This is an aggressive and fast growing cancer. Besides being a rare, older man cancer, there are very few cases of this cancer in adolescents. Her father Doug Jaquez announced that because of Nya, there will be a group created at Swedish Hospital to help set protocols for adult cancers in adolescents.
We are surrounded by sickness and disease but until it hits home your comprehension of the roller coaster of emotions, financial responsibilities, constant race against the clock, and the push and pull of your faith is limited. You have to know though that the battle is costly.
Donations are needed. The family has about $20,000 in hospital bills remaining and we expect that number to increase as the final statements arrive. Anything will help. There is an account set up at Anchor Bank in the name “Nya’s Direction to a Cure”. Nya has one direction, forward, as she watches over us her heart would always want us to find a cure for the next child.
Anchor Bank
601 Woodland Square Loop SE
Unit 100
Lacey, WA 98503
As true to her spirit, she remained giggly, goofy, brave, positive, and smiling through it all no matter the circumstances.
After undergoing bowel surgery and extensive chemo therapy in late 2013 and early 2014, it was confirmed through exploratory surgery that Nya’s cancer had returned in the fall of 2015. It had returned as a stage IV peritoneal cancer. Nya received treatment from the only Oncology Surgeon in the state of Washington who had privileges to perform a HIPEC procedure also known as “heated chemotherapy”. Two days before the procedure they found out it would not be covered by medical insurance due to the “newness” of the treatment and rarity of the cancer. As any parent would, Kasandra and Doug did not hesitate to tell the doctors to go ahead with the procedure knowing it would give Nya a chance to shine her light and bright smile that much longer. Can you imagine being put in that position?
That past year although filled with almost constant pain, weight and hair loss, Nya remained strong and in great spirits; “trying not to think about it” were her words during interviews. She wanted to be a normal girl, not known as the girl with cancer. Faced with the constant challenge of wanting to be at school, play sports, hang out with friends, but still knowing she and her family were very mindful taking care of her fragile body. Nya accomplished so much this last year and had many memorable moments. We are all so proud of #nyastrong!
Nya lives up to the hashtag created in her honor; #nyastrong; making the dean’s list, playing varsity golf her first year trying and going to state, being a model for a day although she was tired she powered through the demanding hair, makeup and elaborate photoshoot. Her strength brought people together, her smile left a lasting impression on all. God makes no mistakes, none whatsoever. He gave Nya purpose she showed friends, family and strangers what it meant to be strong, to carry on, to take a leaps of faith, to just be an all-around great and loving soul.
Nya had a rare form of cancer called, “Signet Ring Carcinoma.” This is an aggressive and fast growing cancer. Besides being a rare, older man cancer, there are very few cases of this cancer in adolescents. Her father Doug Jaquez announced that because of Nya, there will be a group created at Swedish Hospital to help set protocols for adult cancers in adolescents.
We are surrounded by sickness and disease but until it hits home your comprehension of the roller coaster of emotions, financial responsibilities, constant race against the clock, and the push and pull of your faith is limited. You have to know though that the battle is costly.
Donations are needed. The family has about $20,000 in hospital bills remaining and we expect that number to increase as the final statements arrive. Anything will help. There is an account set up at Anchor Bank in the name “Nya’s Direction to a Cure”. Nya has one direction, forward, as she watches over us her heart would always want us to find a cure for the next child.
Anchor Bank
601 Woodland Square Loop SE
Unit 100
Lacey, WA 98503
Organizer and beneficiary
Charli Terminelli
Organizer
Olympia, WA
Kasandra Jaquez
Beneficiary
