Hi friends, family, and kind strangers,

My name is Dana, and I’m writing this with a heart that still feels like it’s trying to catch up to what just happened.

On January 25th, my daughter Sayde (21 years old) was rushed to the hospital and within hours, her life changed. Sayde was diagnosed with Leukemia. A healthy, hardworking young woman who had a full future in motion suddenly found herself in a fight she never asked for.

In the days that followed, Sayde spent 4 days in the ICU and was transferred to a larger hospital, Tampa General. Watching your child in intensive care is something no parent can truly describe. You’re grateful for every breath… and terrified of the next update.

We are beyond thankful she stabilized, but this is only the beginning of a long road.

Right now, she was released from the hospital, but we need to stay close to Tampa General while her care is being transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for specialized treatment. Sayde will also need to be out of work for an unspecified period of time, because treatment will leave her immunocompromised, and returning to a normal work environment won’t be safe.

We’re starting this GoFundMe because even with insurance, cancer brings a wave of costs that don’t stop, expenses that hit all at once, right when life is already turned upside down.

How your support will help Sayde

Your donation will go directly toward:

Medical expenses not fully covered by insurance (copays, deductibles, prescriptions, lab work, supportive care)

Specialized support like a cancer nutritionist to help her stay strong through treatment.

Lodging in/near Tampa so we can remain close to the hospital during this transition.

Travel expenses related to treatment and care coordination, including travel between Florida and New York.

Monthly living expenses while Sayde can’t work.

Transportation costs (gas, parking, tolls, rides to appointments—those add up fast)

What we’re really asking for:

We’re asking for help giving Sayde one priceless thing: the ability to focus on healing without the constant fear of bills piling up.

If you know Sayde, you know she’s strong, but strength shouldn’t have to include carrying this kind of financial weight at 21 years old. If you don’t know her, please know this: she’s someone who matters. She’s someone worth showing up for.

If you’re able to donate, thank you. If you’re not able to donate, please share this, sharing helps more than people realize. And if you pray, we welcome prayers for her body, her immune system, her doctors, and her peace. We have certainly had some miracles over the past two weeks! A huge thanks to those who have lifted up our family with prayers during these trying times.

We’ll keep everyone updated as her care is transferred and treatment begins. As we navigate this, we kindly ask everyone to respect Sayde's privacy while she heals. Her recover is as much mental and emotional as it is physical. To help keep things calm and consistent, all updates will be shared here on the GoFundMe. Thank you for understanding and loving her well.

We encourage you to leave messages for her on this GoFundMe page. At this time, she is unable to respond, but one day will.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping us fight for Sayde.

With gratitude,

Dana