Help for Laura's medical costs

In November 2023 our sister Laura Nieves was diagnosed with Cutaneous Angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. This diagnosis has rocked the world of her family (her husband Mike, her 16 year old son Michael, and 11 year old daughter Gabriella). Unfortunately this isn't the first time she has had to go through this.

In May 2000, three days after her 20th birthday, Laura was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. In order to fight this, her treatment plan included many rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation. In December 2000, when she had only 2 treatments left of chemo, she and her then fiance Mike were involved in a very serious car accident. While behind their car attending to a minor accident, they were struck by another car, pinning them in between the two cars. She was in the ICU for over a week, and they were in the hospital for over a month. Unfortunately, both families had to celebrate Christmas in the hospital that year. Regarding her injuries, Laura had severe damage to both of her legs. Her right leg needed a rod placed from her knee to her ankle along with pins in her ankle. Her left leg, which suffered the more severe injury, had extensive tissue and muscle damage from just below her knee to her ankle. She required many wound debridement as tissue kept dying away, as well as skin grafts. This left her leg with no calf tissue or muscle resembling that of a shark biting her calf off. After the hospital stay, she had to then go back to finish her chemo and then start her radiation treatments for the cancer.

Even though over 20 years has passed since the accident, throughout that time she has dealt with multiple cases of cellulitus, circulatory issues, and daily constant pain. Sadly, due to all these infections, circulatory issues and swelling, doctors believe this is what has contributed to her developing this new cancer in her leg. She is currently going to Sloan Kettering for treatment where it was determined that she is a candidate for a clinical trial that they are performing. She is now going through treatment which includes two different types of chemo as well as immunotherapy. Some of her treatments and appointments are able to be done at the local Long Island office, however many appointments also have to be done in NYC. Unfortunately, not only does she have to endure the chemo and immunotherapy, because of the aggressive nature of the type of cancer she has combined with the already extensive damage to her leg, she will require an amputation of her left leg from just above her knee.

Laura is in for a long road ahead of her. In order to overcome all of this and adapt to a completely new lifestyle as an amputee, she will need many modifications to their home such as a stair lift, handicap ramp and wheelchair. She will also be in need of a prosthetic. Aside from all those larger expenses, they also have co-payments, medications (which haven't all been covered by insurance), transportation, parking, gas, tolls, etc as well as any future needs.

Laura has suffered for over 20 years with daily constant pain often with a smile on her face. Not many people could withstand the pain that Laura has had to endure. Even while talking to me about the amputation, she joked about how she can now be Peg Leg Pete for Halloween. She is one heck of a fighter. Any help you are able to offer would be greatly appreciated. She and her family have a lot on their plate and a lot to worry about, without having to worry about the financial cost of medical expenses, and the stress along with it.