Our mother, at age 78, has always been the pillar of our family. She raised all seven of us, often on her own, and continues to care for my sister who has Down syndrome. Her strength and resilience have inspired us throughout our lives, and now she is facing one of her toughest battles yet.

Recently, what we thought was a simple kidney infection turned out to be something much more serious. After rushing her to the doctor, we learned she not only had a severe infection and sepsis, but also an 8cm mass on her bladder. The diagnosis: stage three small cell bladder cancer, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The tumor is blocking her kidney from draining properly, so she now has a stent that must be replaced every 12 weeks. She is terrified, as are we, but she remains determined to fight. Chemotherapy will begin in a few weeks, and we are doing everything we can to support her.

The financial burden of medical bills and ongoing care for my sister is overwhelming. We are reaching out to our community for help. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us as we help our mother through this difficult journey. Your kindness and generosity will make a real difference. Thank you for standing with us.