Help Paloma Heal: A Journey to Hope and Recovery

My name is Paloma, and I’m a 29-year-old artist and aspiring high school art teacher. Since my diagnosis with Ulcerative Colitis in 2017, I have been fighting a relentless battle against this debilitating and life-threatening illness. Despite my efforts to stay positive and hopeful, the disease has taken away my ability to live a functional life.

Ulcerative Colitis is often misunderstood. While many see it as a common condition, the "ulcerative" part reveals its true severity—constant pain, exhaustion, and the looming threat of complications like colon cancer. Over the past nine years, I’ve endured countless hospital stays, tried every available immunosuppressant, and faced devastating side effects like severe hair loss, water-induced allergic reactions, and even a psychotic episode. Despite following every medical treatment plan, my body keeps rejecting the medications, leaving me sicker and more exhausted each time.

In 2023, I sought alternative treatments abroad, hoping to find relief. Unfortunately, my condition worsened. I am now at a crossroads. After trying every available option, stem cell therapy is my last hope—a treatment that has shown promise for patients like me. However, this life-changing therapy comes with a cost of $20,000, which is far beyond what my family and I can afford.

My Dream: Healing Through Art

Through all the pain, art has been my sanctuary. It has kept me mentally alive and has been a way to connect with others—patients, nurses, and teens—during my fleeting moments of strength. I dream of becoming an art teacher who provides a creative outlet for students, especially in underserved communities. Art can be a lifeline, a way to express feelings that words cannot capture.

Despite everything, I still believe in the power of human connection, kindness, and creativity. I dream of leading interactive art classes in hospitals and schools, helping others find healing and hope through art. But to make this dream a reality, I need your help.

How You Can Help

With your support, I can receive the stem cell therapy I desperately need to regain my health and stability. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me closer to the chance to live and not just survive.

To show my gratitude, it would be my honor to create a painting or mural for anyone who helps me on this journey—a token of appreciation for giving me the chance to heal and give back to the world.

Thank You

Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express. Together, we can allow me to continue my fight, heal, and bring hope and art to others.

With love, gratitude, and a will to survive,

Paloma