My name is Maryann Ladislao. I am a native of the Philippines. I have been living in Las Vegas for the past 4 decades and was a nurse for most of my adult life until an illness struck me in the middle of my career and I had to give up nursing. Actually, this is my first GoFundMe and it's not really for me. It is for a grade school classmate who is very dear to me. so we are talking about me knowing this person for the past 5 decades. Her name is Velle & she has colon cancer. She lives in the Philippines and will be needing medical attention for this illness that can potentially shorten her life if not given a chance to undergo a series of treatments for the next 6 months. I still believe that there are plenty of kind-hearted and empathetic people out there who are willing to help. Even though I can no longer help patients in the hospital, I still want to help others in my own way and especially someone I have known for a very long time. Please find it in your heart to help me help my classmate, my friend, a mother, and a wife. Thank you for reading my story.