Last month, an observant child told Maria Ruiz something simple that would change everything for her:

“Your eyes are yellow.”

That simple comment prompted Maria to seek medical care right away. What she expected to be a routine gastrointestinal evaluation quickly turned into a series of urgent tests. Doctors discovered a mass in the “head” of her pancreas. After biopsies and further imaging, the doctors confirmed that Maria has pancreatic cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic cancer is known to be one of the more aggressive cancers. It often develops quietly, with symptoms appearing only after the disease has progressed. Because of this, treatment must begin quickly and can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Despite the shock of this diagnosis, Maria is facing it with incredible courage and determination.

This is unfortunately a road that is familiar to her family. Just a few years ago, her husband Carlos was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as well. While his cancer was in a different location and his treatment was far less complicated, facing another diagnosis like this brings back many difficult memories. Even so, Maria continues to show the same strength, resilience, and deep love for her family that carried everyone through before.

By the time you read this, Maria will have had a chemotherapy port placed. This port will allow her medical team to safely deliver the powerful medications she will need in the months ahead. She is expected to undergo about six months of aggressive chemotherapy at Maryland Oncology Hematology. The goal is to shrink the tumor as much as possible and, if her body responds well, make surgery to remove the tumor an option in the future.

This will be a long road filled with appointments, treatments, side effects, and time away from normal life. Loved ones are doing everything they can to support her, coordinating care, attending visits, and helping her stay strong through each step of this fight.

Maria has always been the steady center of her family. She is the primary breadwinner, and her income has supported not only her own household, but also loved ones who depend on her. Since beginning treatment, she has been unable to work, and that loss of income has placed an immediate and overwhelming financial strain on the family.

Her support has never stopped at just providing financially. Maria has been a constant source of physical and emotional help for her daughters and young grandchildren, regularly stepping in with childcare, transportation, meals, and the everyday support that keeps a family afloat. As she focuses now on her health and treatment, that support system has been deeply disrupted.

Her heart also stretches far beyond borders. Many years ago, Maria and Carlos's son was deported to Paraguay, a painful chapter that has shaped their family in lasting ways. Despite the distance and hardship, she has continued to support him however she can, emotionally, financially, and as a mother who never stops worrying about her child. Even while facing her own serious illness, her first instinct has always been to make sure everyone else is okay.

Right now, Maria needs the same care and support she has so freely given to others. Funds raised will help cover living expenses, medical costs not covered by insurance, transportation to appointments, and basic household needs while she is unable to work and focus on her fight against cancer.

That is why her family and friends are coming together in this campaign to provide some financial assistance during this time of immense need. Please give generously if you are able, and know that everything you give will be provided directly to Maria.