Cancer you picked the wrong WOMAN!

 

 

 

In life we go through many obstacles. However, it is in these impediments where we gain the strength to face other difficulties that life throws at us. Leslie Jane Rivera has had her share of difficulties in her lifetime. She immigrated here from the Philippines and started off from scratch. Leslie pursued a career in the health care field as a respiratory therapist. An occupation well suited for her loving and caring personality; having worked alongside her, as well as the abundance of complements I always hear from our coworkers and administrators, she treated it more than a job, this is her calling. She gave so much of herself not only for her patients, but also her coworkers whom she can refer to as her family away from home.

 

During the recent pandemic, Leslie didn’t let up. Her care and compassion were steadfast. She came to work, not only because she needed to, but because she wanted to! She knew how important her job is, as COVID-19 wreaked havoc throughout her community. She eased patients’ discomfort with her soothing touch, as she helped coach them to effectively breathe. She promptly responded to ALL emergencies, despite experiencing extreme fatigue from an avalanching workload. As co-workers fell victim to this pandemic (whether they themselves got sick, or experienced extreme burnout that all of us healthcare workers are far too familiar with), she could be counted on as a pillar of strength that enabled them to push through another difficult shift. It is no doubt in anybody’s mind that Leslie is indeed a much-needed gift in our healthcare community.

 

Lastly, I want to emphasize how much of a gift she is to our family. Leslie is my cousin whom I look up to for as far as I can remember. Her strength is incomparable to anyone else I have crossed paths with. She is a single mother, who managed to raise two children to be productive members of society, all while being the sole provider of her household. Despite needing to work two jobs to provide for her children, she always found ways to make herself available. She is that MOM who is always cheering you on from the bleachers. She is that MOM who does her best to make sure your birthdays and Christmases are better each year. And whenever there is a family emergency, you could always count on her being there; whether it’s through text/call during her break or showing up after her shift for support. Leslie is the type of person who shows up, not because you need her to, but because she WANTS to. She is not only a pillar to our family, but also her work family, and friends.

 

This leads me to the reason for this GoFundMe. As many trials and tribulations Leslie has undergone in this lifetime, she must endure another difficult position. As most of you know by now, she recently found a mass on her breast. After consulting with her physicians and undergoing a diagnostic biopsy, it was determined that the mass is cancerous. She has been diagnosed with a form of advanced and aggressive breast cancer stage 3. Leslie and our family are still waiting on news from the oncologist and surgeon regarding a detailed plan; however, they have already determined that chemotherapy and surgery (perhaps not in this order) is eminent.

 

Naturally, Leslie’s concern is not about her health, but of her children’s wellbeing. We are aware of the caustic effect of chemotherapy on the human body, and how it will hamper with her abilities to provide for her family during this difficult time. This is our attempt to help ease Leslie’s apprehensions about the finances and provide her with peace of mind as she undergoes this battle with cancer. WE (our family, friends, and health care community) can’t afford to lose this angel. You always showed up for us, now it’s our turn to show up for you, Leslie.

 

If you have it in your heart to help support my cousin, any donation will help. 100% of what is raised in this GoFundMe will go towards their mortgage and healthcare bills.  Ray John will be tasked to manage the household so that Leslie can focus on her recovery.

 

In addition, if you would also like to leave comments of love and inspiration, that would be very appreciated, as it may be the needed driving force to help her over this hurdle. Thank you very much, and God Bless!