Help CIELO THE BRAVE fight CANCER & LUPUS

Hello! My name is Erika, and I am helping my childhood best friend's family raise funds to support her ongoing cancer and lupus treatment. I have known Cielo since I was five years old. We both went to the same school, from Nursery (TK) to 4th year high school (12th grade). Most, if not all, of my best childhood memories were of Cielo being there – from playing during recess, talking endlessly, watching concerts, joining quiz bees, and being present during the most critical events in our lives. If you have met Cielo, you know she truly lives by her name - "heaven." She is like a piece of heaven here on earth – very thoughtful, God-fearing, loving, loyal, and kind. I always want to picture Cielo with that beautiful face and smile, but she needs all the strength, prayers, and support now.

My best friend Cielo bravely beat leukemia way back and got back on her feet after chemotherapy. She continued doing what she loves as a preschool teacher despite the horrendous effects of her illness. Cielo sought further studies on primary education and taught little ones at various preschools in Manila, Philippines. Sadly, cancer came back with a vengeance in 2019, right before the COVID-19 lockdowns. She again found the courage to fight the tumor found in her larynx, but its metastasis was fast. Soon, her liver, lungs, and colon were affected. Her family (with government support) provided her with the means to try immunotherapy, targeted radiation, and other similar treatments. All these helped and improved her tumor markers.

Cielo's continuous treatments, however, were complicated by the diagnosis of lupus, dermatomyositis, and other autoimmune conditions in 2022. Her doctors now have limited options for Cielo to battle cancer again while preventing lupus flare-ups, especially in the kidneys.

To this day, we witness how my best friend maintains her positive outlook in life with renewed faith in God and family. This faithful and brave woman intends to fight cancer and lupus tooth and nail. We wish to see her through it.

Please help us help her. We ask for your prayers for Cielo's healing and please extend help for her current targeted liver therapy. Cielo's family and I would appreciate any assistance, as these treatments are costly in the Philippines. While the family has already disposed of real assets, launched a T-shirt fundraiser, gathered support from schoolmates, family, and friends who previously extended support, and worked on securing government assistance to fund Cielo's medical needs, they would still need all the support they can get for this long-term battle, including preparations for possible hemodialysis.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.