Leo is a 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Leukemia in September. His mother, Miriam, is a refugee and a single mother of three children. She arrived in this country with almost nothing, facing language barriers, limited education, and the daily challenges of poverty. Even before Leo’s diagnosis, life was a struggle for this family. When Leo was my student two years ago, he was often absent due to illness, and Miriam didn’t even know she needed to notify the school—she was still learning how things worked here.

Since Leo’s diagnosis, Miriam’s world has been turned upside down. She is the only adult in the household who is able to work, but she has been unable to keep a job because Leo has been in and out of the hospital. The family is now behind on rent and struggling to cover basic necessities like food, utilities, and transportation. Like many migrants, Miriam is already navigating enormous challenges simply to survive. Limited access to stable employment, language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and a lack of safety nets make everyday life difficult even in the best of circumstances. When a medical crisis hits, families like hers are often left with nowhere to turn. Miriam is a refugee who arrived in this country with nothing and worked tirelessly to build a life for her family under incredibly difficult conditions. To now face her child’s serious illness on top of these ongoing struggles is devastating.

Leo is one of the gentlest, kindest children I have ever known. He was quiet, sweet, and often sick even when I taught him, and it is heartbreaking to see such an innocent child facing so much at such a young age. With very limited support, Miriam reached out to me—her son’s former teacher—because she didn’t know where else to turn. The fact that she contacted a teacher who last worked with her son three years ago shows just how desperate this situation has become. This family is doing everything they can, but they cannot do it alone. Any support—no matter the amount—will go directly toward helping this family stay housed and meet their most basic needs while Leo receives the medical care he needs. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page. Your compassion and solidarity can make a real difference during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.