Support Barbara's Journey to Academic Triumph

Hello, everyone. My name is Barbara Ribeiro, and I am reaching out to you today with a humble heart and a deep sense of hope.

My journey in college began as a healthy, vibrant soccer athlete with big dreams and an even bigger passion for life. However, everything changed when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. My world was turned upside down, and I had to put my entire life on hold to fight for my life. The battle was long, painful, and tested me in ways I never thought possible. But after two years of intense treatment, I emerged victorious, determined to rebuild my life and pursue my education as a student-athlete.

Returning to school and earning my college diploma was the hardest accomplishment of my life. It was more than just a piece of paper; it was a testament to my resilience, my will to survive, and my refusal to let cancer define my future. When I graduated, I was promised a chance to further my education with a master's degree in general business, a promise I couldn't let slip away. Alongside another international student who was also told that would have free tuition for her master’s, I applied for the program with the assurance that our tuition would be covered.

But when classes began, we were met with a devastating reality: no one was willing to take responsibility for our tuition. The joy and excitement of starting my master's quickly turned into a nightmare. I fought tirelessly, even facing the threat of losing my visa and being deported. It was a terrifying experience, one that almost shattered my dreams yet again, making it so much harder to even keep up with my grades, even though I was always a student with a very high GPA and have received plenty of awards for it from the Peach Belt Conference. Thankfully, with the support of the school's VP and from my soccer coach, I was able to cover the balance for my first semester.

Today, I am 70% of the way through my degree, but I find myself at another crossroads. My balance for the fall semester is $5,000, and as an international student, my opportunities to earn money are severely limited. I can only work up to 20 hours a week on campus, and I'm not allowed to work off-campus. The financial burden is overwhelming, and I am afraid that without help, I won't be able to finish what I've worked so hard to achieve.

This degree means more to me than just academic success. It's a way to reclaim the two years of undergraduate study that I lost due to my treatment. It's a symbol of my strength, my perseverance, and my unwavering commitment to my future. I never thought I would have the opportunity to pursue a master's degree, and now that I'm so close to achieving it, I am determined to see it through.

I am reaching out to you, kind-hearted people, to ask for your support. Any donation, no matter how small, will make a tremendous difference in helping me reach the finish line. Your generosity will not only help me complete my education but will also allow me to honor the promise I made to myself, to never give up, no matter how tough the road ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your support means the world to me, and I am forever grateful for any help you can provide.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Barbara Ribeiro