Donate to Silvia's Fight for Health and Hope

I am Alexis Romo, a 22-year-old college student in Chicago, Illinois. I live with an invisible disability, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. I come from a family with deep roots in both Mexico and the United States. I am reaching out today to share the story of my grandmother, Silvia, a strong, genuine, and caring woman who has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer.

My grandmother has faced many challenges throughout her life. She lost her parents at the young age of 16, leaving her and her sisters, Mercy and Angela, to navigate the world on their own. While Mercy went to study in America, my grandmother, with the help of Mercy, cared for their younger sister, who had a disability. Despite these challenges, my grandmother pursued her education and became a teacher. She also got married on the day she graduated—not out of choice but necessity. Her aunt, with whom she was living, told her she needed to move out after graduating, and she had to find a place for herself and Angela.

With limited options, my grandmother married a man twenty years older than her within just four months of their engagement. She made this sacrifice to provide a stable home for her sister. Despite being young and often feeling alone, she showed remarkable strength and selflessness. This reflects the kind of woman she is—someone who would do anything for her family and friends.

Throughout her life, my grandmother raised seven children, one of whom sadly passed away. Despite this heart-wrenching loss, she continued to care for her remaining six children, worked full-time for 30 years as a teacher, and supported her sister. Now, even as she battles colon cancer and undergoes chemotherapy, she continues to support her sister. She also faces additional health challenges, including glaucoma and trigeminal neuralgia, making this journey even more difficult.

I am sharing her story to honor her incredible strength and to seek support for a woman who has always put others first.

I am writing to seek financial support for my grandmother, Silvia. She is one of the strongest women I have ever met, second only to my mother. As a college student living with a disability, I am currently unable to work and provide the financial help she desperately needs.

My grandmother is facing a difficult battle with cancer, and her treatment costs are overwhelming. She needs financial assistance to cover her medical expenses, including doctor visits, medication, and basic necessities like food. Any contribution, no matter how small, would make a significant difference in helping her through this challenging time. Your generosity would mean the world to us. Thank you for considering supporting my grandmother in her fight against cancer.

My mother has been the sole provider for our family for the past 19 years after my dad was involved in an industrial accident. Following several surgeries, he was left disabled and diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition that causes him constant, severe pain. Due to that, my father also had stomach cancer and continues to suffer from PTSD due to his condition. He is unable to work and stays at home. Despite these challenges, my mom has worked tirelessly to support our family and ensure my sister and I can attend college.

Given everything my family is already going through, I am hoping to raise funds to support my grandmother, Silvia, as she battles cancer. This is my way of contributing and helping her in some small way through this difficult journey. I am deeply grateful to everyone who takes the time to read this and consider helping. Your support means more than words can express. Thank you for any assistance you can provide. Please share this with as many people as you can, I am also encouraging positive messages that can go towards my grandmother due to her difficult journey. It has been very painful for her to endure the pain of chemo and her illness.