Thank you for taking the time to read this, as this is not easy to share or ask for help. I was diagnosed in April 2012 with a chronic blood cancer called Polycythemia Vera, or PV. Over the years, my PV progressed, and I eventually ended up hospitalized several times, including a 16 day hospitalization in May/June 2024 to have my spleen removed due to PV complications. After my splenectomy, my numbers (platelets, white blood cells, etc.) kept going out of control, and I ended up hospitalized again in February of this year (2025). My oncologist ordered a bone marrow biopsy. Unfortunately, it was not good news—my PV had progressed to a bone marrow cancer called myelofibrosis. My oncologist told me, “Without a bone marrow transplant, you’ll probably only have 3 1/2-5 years to live.” He referred me to an oncologist at UCLA who specializes in patients who need bone marrow transplants. Thankfully, a donor was quickly found, and i was admitted to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to begin the process. I received 5 rounds of chemo, and then my transplant was on 9/3/25. I was discharged from the hospital on 9/19/25, but I am not allowed to go home until 12/12/25 (Day +100 after the transplant)—I have to stay at UCLA’s wellness hotel with 24/7 care until I am allowed to go home. My amazing husband and kids are taking such good care of me, but now I’m worried about being able to take care of them. I am doing my best to stay positive and keep my sense of humor, but it is very hard. Besides fighting to get better and beat the cancer daily, I am also worried about how my family is going to survive this financially. I LOVE my job—I am a kindergarten teacher, and I have been at the same school in Pacoima for 24 years—my whole teaching career. The students, staff, and community are like a second family to me, and I eagerly look forward to the day that I am well enough to return to work. Unfortunately, I am not sure yet when I will be cleared to return to work, as the recovery process is very long and my immune system right now is comparable to that of a newborn. I have now used up all of my sick days, so now my income will be reduced to half of my usual income for a period of time, and eventually not too long from now, my income will stop completely. Because my husband and kids are my caretakers, they are unable to work either. We know times are tough for everyone, but we are just hoping for help with our medical bills, monthly bills, and other expenses that have come up due to my cancer and treatment until life returns to normal and I can return to the job that I love. Any and every little bit will help us, and we appreciate it. Thank you!