Hello My name is Ashley,

September 4, 2020 My 10 year old daughter, Nayelie was diagnosed with Leukemia. Towards the end of July, Nayelie started getting severe pains in her legs, knees and ankles. I thought no big deal, it’s probably just growing pains. As the weeks went on, her pain was increasing. She began to start limping, and crying because the pain was so excruciating. I then began to notice the things she once loved to do she wasn’t doing anymore such as swimming, Tik-Toking, running, and playing outside. This is about three weeks since she first complained of any pain. I just knew it wasn’t growing pains, but cancer never ever crossed my mind. I took her to the ER in Tracy where my parents live, we waited over 6 hours before we were seen. At this point she couldn’t walk at all, not a single pain med was given to her. X-rays were done and we were sent on our way because there were no signs of broken bones, or fractures. Her pain kept worsening, I then called her pediatrician and told her what was going on so she sent Nayelie for blood work. On September 3, 2020 I received a call from her pediatrician to rush her to UCSF Children’s Hospital in Oakland. They had noticed some abnormal cells, which they initially thought could just be a blood disease or inflammation. A bone marrow test was done, and the news came back that Nayelie did, in fact, have cancer. 

The type of Leukemia  Nayelie has is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL); Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells, and is the most common cancer in children under the age of 15. Nayelie’s treatment timeline will be for 2 and a half years. The first 6 months will be very intense, and Nayelie will need me to be with her around the clock. Nayelie has since been released from the hospital. She is very fragile at this time; if she gets a fever, or the flu she will have to be readmitted and chemo treatment will most likely have to stop depending on the severity. 

Nayelie is on 6 different medications currently, has blood work done once a week, and a trip to Oakland once a week for chemo and and lumbar punctures, followed with a bone marrow test to see if the Leukemia is still present. Nayelie will have over 20 procedures over the course of these 2 and a half years. 

My life has been very hectic as of recent. Just like many other self-employed individuals, my life has already been turned upside down due to the COVID pandemic. I am self-employed, and unfortunately had to go almost 7 months without working. I have been raising two children as a single mom, all while living on my own and being out of work for majority of the year has truly started to take its toll on me. 

The first week into this showed me how costly this treatment will be with just the first year alone. Unfortunately insurance wont be covering 100% of the treatment. Things are adding up quickly, the co-pays, prescriptions insurance doesn’t cover, travel, and taking time off work. Any donations received will be going to medical expenses and to help cover basic living expenses to keep a roof over our heads while I have to take time off work to care for Nayelie. 


We appreciate your love, support and prayers!


Nayelie, Ashley, Sianna, and family.