Hearts, Hope, Healing & Help for Zair

Hello -

We are the family and friends of Rosaria "Zair" Carella. We ask that you read the story of this kind, wonderful, faith-filled, beautiful woman then listen to your heart.

Twenty-five years ago, Zair was diagnosed with a female cancer only daughters of mothers who took DES, a drug to prevent miscarriage, could acquire. She underwent surgery and high doses of radiation. The radiation treatment rid her of the cancer but left her with long-term health issues. She relied on her faith, accepted the health issues and went on to have a wonderful 25 years with her husband Jeff, son DJ and wife Kaitlyn, and son Nate and beautiful grandsons Jordan & Ridge.

In May of 2022, Zair started bleeding. She contacted her original OB-GYN oncologist who had recently released her from his care because she had been cancer-free for 25 years. Unfortunately, it was going to take time to be seen by his office again as his schedule was full. In the meantime, she went to a new gynecologist who was unfamiliar with the type of cancer she previously had. The doctor did not perform any testing or scans and felt the bleeding was the result of the radiation from the prior cancer treatment. Her symptoms continued to worsen. She began having gastrointestinal issues and was physically exhausted. A colonoscopy could not be scheduled until six months out. We all felt the frustration of no doctor finding the urgency of getting to the root cause of her illness. In November, she went to Utah to visit her son Nate, and grandsons Ridge and Jordan. Her health declined rapidly the first couple of days there. Jeff and Nate took her to the emergency room where a simple CT scan revealed she had a 7cm x 8cm tumor in her uterus, pressing on her kidney, colon and bladder. The toxins were building up in her body, and she was in danger of kidney failure. She was rushed to a larger hospital where a nephrostomy tube was inserted to relieve the pressure on her kidney. Chemotherapy was immediately started in Utah. At the end of January, Zair & Jeff came home to Baldwinsville and treatment was started through Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The first chemo regiment started out successful, shrinking the tumor. A second scan later on showed the tumor started to grow again. Unfortunately, the tumor is inoperable. A different regiment of chemo was started and has, thankfully, started shrinking the tumor. However, the side effects have been brutal. She is unable to do most things she enjoys and is often sick.

It's now been almost a year since Zair has been able to work. She's been terminated from her job where she carried the benefits. She has applied for social security disability but has been rejected on the first-round application. Their health insurance is over $2,500 a month. They have copays, prescriptions, and costs related to travel to Buffalo. Jeff has recently learned his position at his job, which has given him the freedom to work from home and be with Zair when needed, is being eliminated by his employer. Their financial future is uncertain and frightening for them both.

For those of you that do not know Rosaria & Jeff, they are the first people to lend a hand and have always given generously of themselves and their money. The worry over Zair's health is overwhelming enough without the added stress of an uncertain financial future. Please find it in your heart to help Zair and Jeff. Your contribution, however large or small, will help ease their worry and help them focus on Zair's health. We ask that you please keep Zair in your prayers for healing and health.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Jerry, Val, Micki, Paul, Cindy, Noreen, Laurie, Pam, Nicole Jamie, Lisa & Linda