Miracles for Mikayla

Mikayla Acosta is a beautiful, adventurous, vibrant and hard-working 17 year old who has dreams of entering the medical field when she graduates.  In February 2018, Mikayla was taken to the ER complaining of shortness of breath. Instead of leaving with antibiotics to treat bronchitis, Mikayla was rushed to MCV by critical care transport after the doctor delivered the shocking news to her parents, Melissa & Mikel, that tumors had been discovered on the X-ray.  

The diagnosis was heart-breaking:  Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin Lymphoma, a blood cancer that mostly affects teens and young adults. The cancer begins in the lymph tissue, and unbeknownst to them, was the cause of a mysterious lump that appeared on her neck weeks earlier, misdiagnosed by their family physician.  

Mikayla has begun an aggressive treatment schedule at VCU Children's Hospital with a highly intense chemotherapy regimen.  She has lost her hair, and is currently experiencing all the painful side effects they were told to expect.   Mikayla has withdrawn from school and her life as an active teenager is now on hold, as exposure to friends and public places like the mall, prom, her after-school job, and social events must be curtailed to protect her fragile immune system.  

Like so many American families, the Acosta's are underinsured.  Since the treatment will induce early menopause, Mikayla is hoping to meet with a fertility specialist to harvest her eggs and give her the chance to start a family in the future.  Like many of her medical needs, this will not be covered.  

In addition, there will be income lost as Mikayla can no longer keep her part-time job and Melissa will need frequent time away to take care of her daughter.   We are starting this GoFundMe to help buffer the financial strain of expenses such as Mikayla's car payments &  medication since much of their income will now be directed toward hosptial bills.   

Mikayla's mom Melissa is a woman highly regarded in the community has being a selfless giver,  a deeply caring friend and a tireless advocate known nationwide for her work in gun violence prevention.  Now is her and her family's time of need, and we're hoping her network of friends and family can help in whatever way they can to alleviate the stress of the overwhelming financial burden they face so that they can focus on their daughter.  Thank you!!