Hi, my name is Jasmine, and on April 21st my 20-year-old daughter Willow was admitted to the hospital after a CT scan revealed a mass in her sternum between her heart and lungs. On Wednesday, April 29th, she was diagnosed with Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL). On April 30th she had her port placed, and on May 1st she began her first round of chemotherapy (DA-EPOCH-R). She will go through six rounds, every three weeks, and if all goes as planned, she should finish just before her 21st birthday in August.

This type of chemotherapy is very intense. It’s given as a continuous infusion and will take a heavy toll on her body. Willow will be dealing with severe side effects like extreme nausea, hair loss, dry mouth, painful mouth sores, fatigue, and overall weakness throughout her treatment.

Willow lives alone in Orlando, where she works and attends the University of Central Florida, away from our family in South Florida. She is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in anthropology with a minor in nursing and is set to complete her final semester next semester. Her goal is to become a nurse and eventually work in public health, combining both paths to help others. She had just gotten her dream job as a medical assistant and was supposed to leave for a trip to London this week. Everything has now been put on hold so she can focus on treatment.

She does not currently have health insurance, but thankfully she has been approved for a hospital charity program that will help cover the cost of her chemotherapy treatment, though there will still be additional expenses along the way.

Because of chemotherapy, she will be immunocompromised and unable to work or attend school in person. She also does not have a car, which will make getting to and from treatments even more difficult. I will be traveling back and forth to Orlando to help care for her during this time.

Right now, the biggest need is help with basic living expenses—rent, food, and transportation to and from her chemo treatments. She may try to find remote work, but with her treatment schedule, that’s uncertain. I’m asking for any support to help ease that burden so she can focus on getting through this.

We’re confident Willow will get through this surrounded by the love and support of her parents, siblings, family, and friends. We’re just hoping to ease some of the financial stress so she can focus on her treatment and recovery.

Thank you for anything you can give or share.