My name is Ken Ostos, and I am starting this fundraiser for my friend Sam to help her fight cancer.

First, a little background: Those who know me know that November, I lost my Samara and so many of you were there to support me in spirit, as I so sorely needed. Since then, I have been extremely fortunate to feel that support in person too, with a family whose home I can visit, where I can feel safe, understood, loved, and deeply cared for. This family, my very dear friends, need their own support now and I hope you can help.

Samantha - coincidentally also Sam, which is something of a sign, I think - was diagnosed with cancer in early April, after months of trying to get a diagnosis for a lump in her groin. As if a worrying, mysterious lump weren't enough, Samantha was pregnant. She ended up going to the emergency room in March with the lump and a rash all over her body that, by then, had lasted for about two months. In the emergency room, a CT scan revealed swollen lymph nodes and a referral back to Samantha's ob-gyn for a biopsy. The biopsy was performed and Samantha finally got an answer. It was one none of us wanted to hear: lymphoma. Samantha and her ob-gyn made the decision for her to carry the baby as long as possible before early induction at 37 weeks. In early May, beautiful baby Maylynn arrived and she's perfect. Even I, the famous baby hater who was adamant about never having children, fell immediately into absolute love with her.

After Maylynn's appearance, Samantha was finally able to see an oncologist, who declared the original biopsy report as inconclusive and scheduled a surgical biopsy for early June. Surgery did not go to plan. The surgeon was not able to remove the intended lymph node because of a nearby lump, and had to remove a different one. Samantha was sent home frightened, without answers, and with a tube hanging out of her for lymphatic drainage to be collected by a bag.

When the second biopsy's results came in, the oncologist diagnosed Samantha with stage 3 melanoma. It is aggressive. Half a dozen lymph nodes are being attacked and multiple masses are growing. The largest has spread into her pelvic area and is protruding from her body. The masses are now visibly growing on a day to day basis.

Samantha began treatment with immunotherapy in late June, and is anticipating surgical removal of the largest mass on a date to be determined but hopefully soon after her next oncology appointment in mid-July. Surgery will be followed about a month later by radiation, five days a week, for six weeks. Immunotherapy will also begin again after surgery, every three weeks and continuing for 12-18 months. Samantha will be commuting to her local hospital for each radiation and immunotherapy session because the major cancer centers are not available to her as a Medicaid patient. Even if they were, there is no assistance available for the incidental costs that would come with long-term treatment.

They do not have a vehicle, and as a fixed-income household due to disability, a car is not within reach on their own. While medical assistance is available to transport Samantha to her local hospital, it is for her alone and no caretaker or other support. No one would be unable to stay by Samantha's side, hold her hand, calm her fears, and hold her hair and wipe her mouth when she is sick from the side effects of treatment.

They need a car desperately to take Samantha back and forth to the hospital to receive radiation and other treatment, not to mention preemie Maylynn's appointments. It only needs to run reliably and have working AC (South Texas heat indices will be in the 112-122F range soon). That car would allow Samantha to have support with her during treatment, Maylynn to go to her also necessary doctor's appointments, and Samantha to best take care of her family through this time.

This family is so very dear to me. Please help make it possible for them to meet this urgent need, whether it's because cancer sucks, because you love this family, because God has moved your heart, or because you support me. I'm asking for anything you can give to help Samantha and Maylynn acquire basic transportation to help ease them through these challenges.