On June 23rd, Yaretzi underwent surgery to replace an artery she received at two weeks old. Yaretzi was born on October 4th, 2018; she was diagnosed before she was born during her mother’s five-month ultrasound in which doctors found a heart defect known as Truncus Arteriosus, a heart defect where there is a missing artery. Yaretzi got her heart defect from a genetic disorder called DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome ), a condition where a small portion of chromosome 22 is missing. It occurs in 1 of every 4,000 births, and it has the potential to affect every system in the body, often leading to a wide range of health issues. The surgery was long, and with it came complications. On Sunday, June 28th, the Luna family, and all who loved her lost Yaretzi due to unforeseen circumstances. There are no words to describe the pain that her mother, father, and brother are experiencing at this moment. 

The road to healing for this family will be long, and most days, unbearable. A group of the family's friends is working together to ensure that Cynthia can focus on mourning the loss of her baby. She should not have to stress about coming up with the funds to bury her child. Many of you know that Cynthia is a single mother and student with a limited income and because funeral expenses are so costly, we are putting together another campaign so she can have the best celebration of life for her little one. And, to be honest, Yaretzi deserves it. 

As a close personal friend of Cynthia, I considerYaretzi one of my own. To know this little girl is to know a piece of heaven. To have held her in my arms was to know what true joy is. She is truly the strongest person I know. People go lifetimes just trying to be remembered, trying to touch other people's lives, and Yaretzi did just that in her life. Most would think that two years are short, but if you knew Yaretzi, you would know her two years were lived with so much purpose and impact. She will continue to bring joy to our hearts with all of the sweet memories she made with us. We will celebrate her for the rest of our days. 

If you can find it in your heart to donate, please do. If you can't help monetarily, please share this post. Let's help this family give Yaretzi the celebration she deserves.  If you would like to donate to Cynthia via Venmo, please send it to @cynthia-luna-1000. If you'd like to Zelle her, please contact me through the contact option here on the page. 

You Will Always Be Loved, is the Aztec meaning of Yaretzi. How fitting, yes baby girl, yes, always. You will always be loved. 

Shee