My name is Gisel, and I am raising funds for my dear friend Ana Maria, who is courageously battling breast cancer.

Anamaria is facing an 18-month battle for her life.

Her treatment plan is intense and overwhelming:

• 21 weeks of chemotherapy

• Follow-up appointments with multiple specialists

• Double mastectomy (both breasts will be removed)

• Several weeks of radiation

• A 12-hour reconstructive surgery

Her oncologist was very honest with her:

“You’ll be lucky if you can work two days a week.”

She is currently receiving three aggressive chemotherapy drugs:

• Taxane – causes anemia, low blood counts, severe fatigue, nausea, and neuropathy (nerve pain throughout her body).

• Carboplatin – attacks cancer cells but also lowers platelets and affects her electrolytes.

• Pembrolizumab – helps her immune system fight the cancer but can cause serious side effects including swelling, breathing issues, and extreme fatigue.

The treatments will suppress her immune system, attack her muscles, and leave her exhausted and nauseous. She has been told she may only be able to work two days a week — yet she must work in order to keep her health insurance. If she cannot maintain enough hours, she risks losing the coverage that is paying for her life-saving care.

She purchased short-term and long-term disability, but was denied because she has not been with her employer a full year — she is just four months short.

Even with insurance, she faces a $10,000 high deductible out of pocket, not including ongoing copays for chemotherapy, specialists, radiation, and surgeries.

She is carrying:

• A $2,200 monthly mortgage

• Household bills and living expenses

• 18 months of treatment ahead

• A $10,000 deductible that must be met before insurance fully helps

Anamaria has worked since she was 16 years old and will turn 60 in April. She has spent her career in the medical field caring for others — guiding patients, answering questions, and being a compassionate bridge between families and physicians. Patients thank her daily for her kindness and dedication.

Now she is the one who needs support.

No one fighting cancer should also be fighting to keep their home or worrying about how to cover a high deductible just to receive treatment.

We are asking for help to:

• Keep her insurance active

• Cover her high deductible and mounting medical costs

• Help with her mortgage and essential bills

• Allow her to focus on healing instead of financial fear

Any donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference. If you’re unable to give, please consider sharing her story.

Let’s stand beside Anamaria the way she has always stood beside others.