In March 2025, my mom was working her full-time job along with a couple of part-time ones when she started to feel some stomach discomfort. At first, her doctor thought it was just acid reflux and said it would go away. But by July, the pain had become much more severe, even making her dizzy at times. She went back to the doctor, was diagnosed with a bacterial infection, and received medication that helped for a while. Unfortunately, the pain returned, and after more tests in September, she was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric cancer.

As of October, my mom had to stop working and began chemotherapy because she could no longer handle physical work. Later that month, her doctors discovered that the tumor was about to rupture, so she had to undergo emergency surgery to remove both the tumor and her stomach. Since then, she has continued chemotherapy, with three more sessions to go, and is being fed through a feeding tube. She has exhausted all financial assistance through paid medical leave, savings, and help from family.

The donations from this fundraiser will go toward covering essential expenses like utilities, mortgage payments, and food while my mom focuses on her recovery. It is humbling to be in this situation, and it’s hard to ask for help, as she has always been strong and a hard worker. But we are so thankful for these platforms and for the people who open their hearts to help those in need. May God bless you and repay you many times over for your kindness.