Alii & Hafa Adai,

My name is Sumech Maria San Nicolas, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my family during another heartbreaking chapter of our lives.

In April 2023, we lost our beloved dad to acute leukemia. It happened so fast. For days, we were told to “wait and see,” but each day his condition grew worse. By the time doctors finally gave us a diagnosis, it was already too late. Just hours after the confirmation, he was gone.

We never got the chance to process what was happening, let alone say goodbye the way we wanted. The shock, the grief, and the lingering questions about the care he received still weigh heavily on us.

And now — just as we’ve been trying to heal — our family has been dealt another devastating blow.

Our mom, Marina San Nicolas, has been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Hearing the word “cancer” again, so soon after losing our dad, is something we never imagined. The fear is overwhelming, but we’re holding on to hope. Her doctors believe she can fight this, but it will require major surgery — a procedure that must be done off-island on the U.S. mainland.

Our mom is the strongest woman we know — selfless, compassionate, and deeply loved by everyone whose lives she’s touched. She’s always been our foundation. Now, it’s our turn to be hers.

This journey brings not only emotional and physical hardship, but a financial burden that we simply can’t carry alone. Even with insurance, the cost of travel, treatment, lodging, and recovery will be a tremendous challenge.

We’re humbly asking for your support — whether it’s through a donation, a share, or simply keeping our mom in your thoughts and prayers.

Every act of kindness — big or small — will make a difference in helping our mom fight this battle and find healing.

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.

With love,

the Debengek-San Nicolas Family