There are few words more frightening than the one that starts with “C.”

I never imagined I would be writing something like this — especially the week of Christmas.

My sister Maritza is only 32 years old. She is a devoted, loving mother to three beautiful children: Nikolai (7), Sasha (5), and baby Lily (just 1). She is now facing an aggressive cancer diagnosis, with surgery imminent and a challenging recovery ahead.

The surgeons have confirmed that Maritza will need invasive neck reconstruction surgery to remove the tumours in her mouth as well as affected lymph nodes in her neck. Her initial recovery from surgery is expected to take 4–5 weeks. After this, she will then need to undergo five weeks of daily radiation treatment, attending hospital every day for radiation and follow-up appointments. The future path ahead will include speech pathology as well as occupational therapy and without private health insurance, these services are likely to come at a significant financial cost.

This type of cancer is most commonly diagnosed around the age of 67 - not in a young mother with three small children who depend on her every day.

Maritza has always been a survivor. She has faced more than most people endure in a lifetime: surviving civil war in Africa, losing a toe, and overcoming a cervical precancer diagnosis at just 19 years old. Through every hardship, she has shown extraordinary resilience, strength, and grace.

But this chapter is different.

Maritza’s partner, Andrei, is the sole source of income for their family. He is self-employed, which means that if he doesn’t work, there is no income. Yet he will need to take time away from work to care for Maritza, attend appointments, manage surgery and recovery, and ensure their three young children are supported during this time.

The timing makes this even more challenging. The children are currently on school holidays, surgery is planned imminently, and we need to make sure they are cared for, safe, and supported and that the family has some financial breathing room during this crisis.

There is no immediate family nearby who can step in. I live two hours away and am currently 34 weeks pregnant, which limits how much I can physically help. Our mother is committed to caring for her own ill mother in Belgium, and Andrei’s parents live in Russia making travel complex, time-sensitive, and costly.

Donations raised here will go toward essential living expenses (covering daily expenses/bills whilst Andrei takes time off to support Maritza) childcare support and the costs associated with Maritza’s medical recovery.

Maritza is an incredibly kind, attentive, and devoted mother. Her children are her world. Watching her navigate this diagnosis while worrying about how her family will cope has been absolutely heartbreaking for all of us who love her.

I have always shown up for the people I love in big ways and small — whenever help was needed. Today, I’m reaching out to my community, asking for support for my sister and her family at a time when they truly cannot do this alone.

If you are able to donate, your support will help ease the immense burden this family is carrying and allow Maritza to focus on healing, while ensuring her children are cared for and supported during this incredibly difficult time.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page. Every gesture of support, no matter how small, truly means the world.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Olivia and Aurora xxx