Three-year-old Zara was the healthiest of her siblings—until sudden fevers and exhaustion turned into every parent’s nightmare. In November 2024, after countless appointments and misdiagnoses, little Zara was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma. The cancer had already spread to her bones, lungs, liver, and over 95% of her bone marrow.

At 8.5 months pregnant, Zara’s mom, Ellyssa, stayed at her daughter’s side in the hospital. Just weeks later, baby Ember was born. The same month, Zara and her dad, John, left their home in Palm Bay, Florida for New York City to start advanced treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering—including 5 rounds of chemo, a 10-hour tumor removal surgery, 24 rounds of radiation to date, and now low-dose chemo paired with immunotherapy.

The family hoped to reunite in April. But Zara’s cancer progressed again—shattering her tibia—and her treatment plan changed drastically. What should’ve been a brief 3-week stay in NYC this time became another 8-week stretch away from home, compounding their grief and logistical strain.

Now entering their seventh month apart, the family is fighting not just cancer, but also the cost of living in two states, lost income from work, and emotional fatigue. The Ronald McDonald House rules allow only 4 people per room, making it impossible for the full family to stay together in New York without financial help. Zara’s infant sister hasn’t bonded with her dad and the other three girls miss him desperately.

Your gift will help this family afford a modest hotel or apartment in NYC this summer so they can finally be under one roof again during Zara’s treacherous treatment. It would allow John and Ellyssa to be together to bear the mental and physical aspects of caregiving while being there for their four other girls (all under 7), as well as travel for other appointments and needs. Every donation helps bridge this painful gap and reminds them they’re not alone in this fight.

Thank you for helping bring this family back together. We are trusting God will stretch this money and bless it abundantly, in the same way the family trusts Him with their care.