This is my incredibly smart, talented and beautiful sister in law Maria. I say smart because at the young age of 23 she is 3/4 completed with her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. I say talented because she has worked hard enough and smart enough as a first generation college student to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees including books, housing, food and transportation 100% debt free. I say beautiful because not only is she physically stunning, but she has a completely genuine heart, and gives all she has to others. Six months ago, Maria started experiencing unexplained severe headaches while completing an internship in Indiana this summer. After working with several medical providers to find an answer and relief, she was finally diagnosed this October with an 2 inch Astrocytoma, a rare type of brain tumor. Astrocytomas are classified by 4 different grades, Grade IV being the most severe with a fatality rate of nearly 100%. Hoping for the best option for her future, Maria decided to undergo an 8 hour surgery to remove the 2 in growth on October 27th at the University of Utah Hospital. This surgery while invasive, we hope will give Maria the best chance for recovery as well as more knowledge on how to proceed with her treatment should the growth be determined malignant or at an advanced stage. Currently, Maria does not have insurance due to her young age, and her low financial income that stems from two student jobs. Due to age and illness her parents are covered under Medicare and are unable to gain coverage for Maria under their insurance. Due to these disadvantages Maria is projected to succumb to an immense and debilitating amount of financial debt for treatment. While as a family we are working to help Maria complete applications for medical scholarships, hospital write offs, and Medicaid insurance - we are unaware of any financial help she will receive to help pay for this unexpected but necessary medical expense. We are excited for Maria's future as an academic professional, an exemplary advocate for minorities and the underprivileged, and as a soon to be aunt to our first child. Projected costs for this type of procedure and treatment range from $50,000 to $150,000. We are asking for any financial help that may be possible to give in order to help Maria have the best chance for a long and healthy future! Please share her story.