Angella's Battle to Survive Cancer

Our daughter was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in April 2019.  After a mastectomy and two rounds of chemo, we learned in September that the cancer is very aggressive and has spread to her right lung.  She is now diagnosed with Stage 4 triple negative breast cancer.

Our daughter lives in Savannah, Georgia and is a devoted mother of three.  There is no other family located in Georgia.  Her family and, therefore, support system reside in Maryland. She is currently unemployed because of her disease.  The treatments she has received have not stopped the cancer.  She has not received any treatment (chemo or radiation) since her surgery on September 11; therefore, this aggressive cancer continues to attack her body.  She is now in the hospital for the third time this year.

Her doctor recommended her for clinical trials at Johns Hopkins but because she does not have Maryland Medicaid, she is not eligible.  She has Georgia Medicaid.  Unfortunately, the current rules governing Medicaid requires her to be a resident of Maryland for 5 years before she is eligible for Maryland Medicaid.

We contacted the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) because their clinical trials would be free of charge but because another medical condition has been discovered, we learned from the N.I.H. that as a result of that disease, she is not eligible for their clinical trial for triple negative breast cancer.

 She has applied for Social Security Insurance (SSI) which would allow her to receive Federal Medicaid.  We’re also asking our Maryland congressional representative if anything can be done to alleviate the 5 years residency requirement. Once she has either Federal or Maryland Medicaid, it will allow us to bring her home to be treated in Maryland.  Because she is not receiving any treatment, and her cancer is so aggressive, we are desperately wanting to move her and the three children to Maryland as quickly as possible. My husband and I have been traveling back and forth to Savannah to support our daughter but this gets very expensive with airfare or train fare, rental vehicles, and hotels.  We’re senior citizens so it not only takes a toll on our budget but also our health.

Therefore, much of the support my daughter is receiving outside of the hospital is falling on my 23 year old granddaughter.  When they move to Maryland, I and other family members will be able to assist my granddaughter with doctors’ appointments and providing medical assistance in the home, as well as assist with the younger children when mom is too ill.

We’re seeking donations to cover the rental costs with locating a place for my daughter and her family to live.  These costs will involve Security deposit and first month rent.  There will also be costs to hire a moving company to pack and move her furnishings from Savannah, Georgia to Maryland, and airfare for her and the two younger children because it is not recommended she make the 10 hour drive from Savannah, Georgia to Maryland.

The goal we hope to obtain is $25,000.