Help Raquel Fight Breast Cancer

I’m a desperate mom asking for help for my daughter.

Hi, my name is Monica and I’d like to introduce you to my beautiful daughter, Raquel.

Her entire life, Raquel has been caring, supportive, compassionate and empathetic towards others. It did not surprise me when she made the decision to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She’s kind, genuine and her laugh is infectious!! Anyone who knows her LOVES her!! Despite the many challenges she’s faced in her life, she has a positive attitude and a fantastic sense of humor. Her incredible strength and resilience is truly inspiring.

At age 32, Raquel was diagnosed with an aggressive Breast Cancer. I will never forget the day she called me with the news in March of this year. We had been waiting for the results of the biopsy for a few days. I answered and before I could say Hello, I could hear her sobbing uncontrollably. In that moment, I felt my heart shattered into a million pieces, but I knew I had to keep it together to console her and reassure her that we would get through this and that she would be okay. Once the conversation ended and I had a moment to process the news, a wave of panic hit me like nothing I have ever felt before. I couldn’t catch my breath and fell to my knees.

Watching Raquel face this battle is the most difficult thing I have ever experienced and yet her bravery and selflessness is truly remarkable. You see, even though Raquel has been struggling with the many side effects of her treatments, she is continuing to work. No matter how much I plead with her to take time off she cannot allow herself to do so because of her financial obligations. In addition, she also insists on continuing to care for her clients.

As an independent contractor she does not qualify for temporary disability and is not eligible for sick time or paid time off. Despite having medical insurance, which she pays for out of pocket, the medical bills are already starting to pile up.

The last six months have been filled with:

• diagnostic testing including mammograms and ultrasounds

• biopsies

• surgeries including bilateral mastectomy followed by an emergency surgery

• port-a-cath surgery

• various procedures including lymphoscintigraphy and drain removal

• multiple doctors’ appointments, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists

• medical infusions including chemotherapy and other medications

• multiple prescription medications

With all this, the harassing phone calls, texts and emails threating to take her to collections have already begun. And as if this wasn’t bad enough, she still has many more months of treatments and surgeries yet to come.  It is my hope to raise enough funds to help Raquel meet her financial obligations.  

Those of you who know me, know I never ask for help. However, I am desperate to help my daughter get through this difficult time with as little strain as possible. I am calling all Angels to please support my efforts to help Raquel by donating to her fund.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With Love and Deepest Gratitude,

Monica