Help Esperanza beat breast cancer.

Our dear friend Esperanza Ortega (Espe) was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer and has difficult challenges ahead. Espe is an amazing, single parent and grandmother. She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend.

Espe is one of the most selfless, loyal, generous, and supportive friends that anyone could be blessed with. That is why, today, her closest friends are asking for your help and prayers. Espe is the first person to step up when someone is in need. Now it is our chance to be in her corner and support her as she faces this challenging time. Due to Espe’s cancer diagnosis and treatments, she has been unable to work full time. This is extremely frustrating for Espe.

Espe learned of her diagnosis on 9/25/21. Since then, life has been a whirlwind. Espe endured a right breast lumpectomy with reduction on November 11, 2021. This included a four-week recovery with setbacks. Espe returned to work on December 13, 2021. She does not have any more paid sick leave and the number of doctor appointments, testing, and downtime for recovery has made it difficult for her to maintain a normal full-time schedule and has resulted in the loss of wages. Now, she will be able to start radiation therapy which will require daily treatments for up to six weeks. Once radiation therapy is complete, Espe will require a hysterectomy. Following this procedure, she will go through reconstructive surgery sometime in the early summer with a one-to-two-month recovery period.

As you can imagine a diagnosis of this severity takes a toll on a person, not to mention the worry of finances and trying to stay afloat from the added medical costs and unpaid absences from work. Her close friends and family have stepped in during the time being. Unfortunately, it is not enough. After learning what the long road ahead entails, we are asking for everyone’s help.

In the perfect world, her closest friends and family would want Espe to focus on getting better and not have the burden of worrying about finances. We know that this is not entirely possible. However, if her village comes together, we can ease that burden. We can make a bigger impact and help the Ortega family focus on what is most important, Espe’s health! Finally, and most importantly, please keep Espe, Espe’s family, and her medical team in your prayers. With a full heart, we thank you for considering a monetary donation and helping support our beautiful friend!