My name is Viola, and I want to share the difficult journey of my best friend Jona. At just 29 years old, she received devastating news: stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma. She lives in Crete, Greece, as an undocumented immigrant, relying solely on her aunt, a single mother, for support.

We met ten years ago in Struga, Macedonia, during college where she studied law. To truly capture who she is would take a whole book. She's dear to me, someone I deeply love and trust with my life. Jona is incredibly strong, resilient, and full of love and gratitude. Her character is such that everyone would want her as a friend. Through thick and thin, she's always been there for me, offering support and a listening ear. Now, during this tough time in her life, I'm determined to stand by her side. I'm reaching out to ask for your support too.

The last two years have been a series of uphill battles, but December 2023 brought the cruelest blow: cancer. By February, she had surgery to remove one of her kidneys where the cancer had spread aggressively. Currently, she's undergoing immunotherapy, which brings harsh side effects. Every day is a struggle with joint pain, exhaustion, nausea, painful rashes, and new thyroid issues caused by the treatments. She needs ongoing medical care, but her health and immigration status prevent her from working and affording basic needs like food, housing, and medications. This financial strain has hit her hard when she needs stability the most.

To help Jona through this challenging time, I've started a GoFundMe campaign. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in her journey toward healing and recovery.

Thank you for considering supporting Jona during this incredibly tough period. Your kindness and generosity mean everything to us.

With gratitude,

Viola Shahinas