I created this GoFundMe to help one of our fellow ridge moms who’s beautiful little girl is currently fighting for her life battling brain cancer. Bella’s doctors have projected Bella has 3-5 months left. These funds will specifically help mom Janelle with a large unexpected vehicle bill she has as well as any help with her traveling weekly to San Francisco for her daughters treatments. However you can help, even $1, is greatly appreciated.


 A word from Janelle:
On May 22, 2020 Bella Cortez was diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer, Defused Midline Glioma grade 4. Since that time Bella had a vp shunt placed to drain fluid, has completed 6 weeks of radiation and has done chemo more times than I cant keep count of. Ultimately, along with her determination and modern medicine to now be in a position where she is at a top 5% percentile of children with the same exact disease as Bella and there is no sign of decline. Most children have a survival rate of 15 to 18 months, Bella is beyond surpassed the expectation of that rate and continues to fight everyday. As of July 10, 2022 Bella has done everything that can be done for her medically, with the assistance of Hospice, the main goal is pain management and ensuring that she continues to feel well enough to go to school on the Ridge. Its so amazing to say that Bella will be heading to the 1st grade in Aug, that's something I never thought would be a reality for us. This time around we finally were able to get a 504 education plan together and hopefully with the assistance with an IEP, that Bella will be able to attend school independently without the assistance of myself (mom) or great grandma sitting by her side hovering over her like Kindergarten. Going to school is Bella's ultimate wish, even though she has a lot of challenges physically and socially, that doesn't stop her from trying! She loves being in class and being around other children. That will be our plan for the foreseeable future until Bella shows signs of decline. I am a single mother and my goal everyday that Bella wakes up, I put in the same amount fight and determination that Bella has taught me throughout this journey and continues to show everyday, just in a different way. To say I'm overwhelmed is kinda a understatement, but I do my best and try to do everything in my power to keep Bella as happy and healthy as I possibly can. We usually have some kind of appointment sometimes up to 3 in a day usually Monday through Friday, as much as this exhausts me to the core, it's all necessary to keeping both of us healthy and moving forward. Once appointments are finished I usually have 101 chores I need to complete, meals to be made, Bella requires assistance with everything (transfers, playing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom, etc) Sometimes it feels like I'm fighting a battle to just have time to be present with my daughter. Thankfully around February 2022 I started us a YouTube channel, Bellachu where we just film us opening up Pokémon cards and playing together. This hobby has been so incredibly good for both of us in so many ways. It promotes dedicated time for us to bond, laugh, play...all while I'm able to document it. I have no idea how I'll handle grief, but if in anyway those videos give me a moment to remind myself that even though our life is crazy and hectic, we still were able to forget it all and spend quality time together...then it's all worth it. I probably have taken over 5k photos since her diagnosis, along with many other side projects I try to do with time and money allows to make sure I know that everyday that Bella opens her eyes, thats my gift and it's the biggest blessing in the world. I am just a mom doing what any other mother would do and I would do it again. This has been such an incredible journey and I am so grateful that we have gotten so much time. The flip side at the current moment, is I am utterly drowning. The only income being from Ihss with no longer receiving any other assistance such as ssi or ebt.(ihss just had an increase making us in this unable to receive assistance) I'm just making enough to cover rent, gas, a few small bills. I've had to destroy my credit and have taken our credit cards just to survive. Let's just say that, "when it rain it pours," that I've been hit with a lot of huge unexpected costs and situations that has ruined me financially. I'm doing my best to manage a sinking ship by myself. I am 100% transparent and if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me directly. These funds are for Bella, to make her happy and ensure all her needs are met. I will do everything in my power to keep her smiling, I will bear the weight of the world if I could, just to see her happy.
 Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Thank you for allowing me to share a little of our journey and be able to tell you about my amazing Bella. Thank you