Help Claudia Valbuen-Klamt with Medical Bills

"Our good friend Claudia has been a second grade bi-lingual teacher for 7 years at the Arlington Independent School District. Although not a smoker, in December of 2022 she was diagnosed as having stage IV lung cancer! This was a shocking diagnosis and, unfortunately, is not her first time facing cancer! When she was just 27 years old, she had a large malignant tumor removed which also necessitated the removal of one of her kidneys. Since December of 2022, she’s been in and out of hospitals including UT Southwestern, MD Anderson and Baylor Scott & White. And, she has also undergone a multitude of CT scans, X-rays and PET scans. At this time, all her sick leave and temporary disability leave offered by the school district is exhausted. And, at the end of this June, her paid salary ended. Finally, effective this coming September 1st, she will no longer be covered by the school district's medical benefit plan! The loss of her salary and school insurance benefits has placed a significant burden, on her and her family. Regardless, their hope is to find a way to continue to meet all the continuing medical expenses as well as the day to day living costs. Claudia did apply for Social Security disability but was told that teachers are considered a government employee and not eligible for Social Security disability payments!

As she tries to navigate through the painful treatments, we know it is crucial that she is not stress out about paying medical bills. We are calling you to help us so our beautiful friend can focus on her health. Please consider helping Claudia with your contribution, big or small! Your efforts to support her will make an important difference for her and her family as they face the challenges ahead of them. You can also help her a great deal by sharing the link of this fundraiser with your friends and their families!"

"Nuestra querida amiga Claudia ha sido maestra bilingüe de segundo grado durante 7 años en el Distrito Escolar de Arlington. Aunque nunca ha fumado, en diciembre del 2022 le diagnosticaron cáncer de pulmón de estado IV. Este fue un diagnóstico impactante y, desafortunadamente, ¡no es la primera vez que ha sufrido de cáncer! Cuando tenía solo 27 años, le tuvieron que remover un tumor maligno y uno de sus riñones. Desde diciembre de 2022, ha estado entrando y saliendo de hospitales, incluidos UT Southwestern, MD Anderson y Baylor Scott & White. Le han tenido que hacer muchos exámenes. En este momento sus licencias de enfermedad y discapacidad temporal que ofrece el distrito escolar se agotaron. Adicionalmente su salario terminó a finales de junio y los beneficios de medicina que ofrece el distrito escolar se acabaran el próximo 1 de septiembre. La pérdida de su salario y los beneficios han puesto una carga significativa, sobre ella y su familia. Independientemente, su esperanza es encontrar una manera de continuar cubriendo todos los gastos médicos, así como los costos de vida diarios. Claudia solicitó la discapacidad del Seguro Social, pero le dijeron que los maestros se consideran empleados del gobierno y no son elegibles para los pagos por discapacidad del Seguro Social.

Mientras trata de navegar a través de los dolorosos tratamientos, sabemos que es crucial que no esté estresada por los gastos médicos. Estamos solicitando que ayudes para que nuestra amiga pueda enfocarse en su salud. Por favor considera ayudar a Claudia cualquier contribución, grande o pequeña es de gran ayuda. Tus esfuerzos para apoyarla marcarán una diferencia importante para ella y su familia. También puedes ayudarla mucho compartiendo el enlace de esta recaudación de fondos con tus amigos y sus familias.

Olga Ortiz and Elsa Otero-Kackley