My mom lives in a very rural area Guatemala with my little sister, and recently she went through an emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her chest. She also has a malignant mass on her uterus, but doctors cannot operate yet. Because she does not have insurance, she has been receiving care through the public hospital system, which meant waiting for a long time before she could get help. The surgery she received was performed as an emergency, and now she needs ongoing medical support.

I thought my life here in the US was going to be different. I came with the hope to study, help my family in Guatemala, and reunite with my father, but instead I became a victim of domestic violence. Life and God had other plans for me. Now I am 19 years old and about to graduate from high school. I work doing cleaning, but that money is barely enough to pay for my rent and food.

I am in New York, working and going to school to sustain myself since I was 16 years old. It breaks my heart to not be there to help my mom and my sister directly. I do not have any other family here, and I am doing my best to support myself and my family from afar. The funds raised will help pay for my mom’s medical bills, future surgeries, and daily living expenses for her and my little sister, since my mom cannot work right now.

Before anything, I feel humbled to ask for support. The last three years have been very challenging, and there were times I did not even have money for food. At this moment, I can barely sustain myself. I humbly ask for your help, whether by donating or sharing my plea. Your support means the world to me and my family.