Medical Bills for Mom's Cancer Fight

Whether you know her as Iris, Lela, Nery, Grandma or Mom, we all know her as a sweet, loving, dependable person. Our mother has always been the kind of person you can count on.

As an employee for the NYC Dept of Education she was there for colleagues and students alike. Many students and younger staff referred to her as “Mom” and still do to this day, though she has been retired almost two years.
Among her LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) brothers and sisters she is know as Lela, short for Abuela, Spanish for Grandma. These nicknames are out of respect, not for her age, but for her compassion and dedication to look after and help anyone who needs it.
Our mother is not alone in earning those nicknames. Alongside her for the past 43 years has been our father; Nelson, Lelo, Bunka, Dad. Together they have been through it all, including our father’s successful battle with Prostate cancer. Anyone who knows our parents knows that at the drop of a hat they will reach out to help ANYONE, including strangers. From shoveling snow or mowing lawns for all the neighbors, to lending an ear to a friend in need.

Our father is a proud man who would never ask for help. So we, my brother and I, are asking for help for them.
This summer Mom was diagnosed with Stage4 non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The doctors are optimistic that she will defeat this. We KNOW she will. Anyone who knows Mom knows that things won’t be the same without her. She’s the glue to this family and to her friends around her. Unfortunately, treatment is expensive and the bills have already piled up. For two retirees it is just too much. The stress of finances and the illness are not good for either one of them, especially Mom as she goes through treatment.

Early in September a fundraiser was held in Reading Pennsylvania by members of LAMA to raise money for her treatment. Dozens of people, including many strangers, showed up in the rain, coming from as far as Baltimore, Ohio, upstate NY, NYC and Virginia. This shows the lengths that people who know Mom will go through to help. Though it was a successful fundraiser, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. As anybody who has battled cancer or knows someone who has, the treatment is expensive.

Mom is the light of those around her, and though we know she will make it, it takes money to insure that light shines for many more years to come. And remember, she is not fighting this alone. Her partner and friend, our father, needs help too. As she has entered this battle he has taken over everything in the house. He watches over her, cleans for her, takes her to appointments, sits by her bedside as she sleeps, watches over the finances, etc. This has been a very stressful time for Mom & Dad, Lela & Lelo, Grandma & Bunka, Iris & Nelson. Though no one can relieve the emotional stress of fighting this cancer, maybe we can help the financial stress.

Please, we are pleading with all of you, help Mom & Dad. We understand that these are hard financial times for everyone, so if you can’t donate, at least spread the word. Maybe someone who can donate will hear of it. The last thing Mom & Dad will ever want to do is burden anyone, so it is on their behalf that we ask. The cost of treatment has already proven to be a great financial burden on Mom & Dad so any financial donation is greatly appreciated. And please, no matter what you choose to do, at least spread the word. Thank you for all the help and support.