Hi, my name is Itziar, and I’m 21 years old from Barcelona, Spain. For the past three years, I’ve been pursuing my dreams in the United States, studying business and engineering while playing basketball. My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my family (my incredible parents and my younger sister).

My dad has always been our rock. After earning his degree in biology, he worked at a pharmaceutical company for many years. But when my mom fell seriously ill, he put everything on hold to care for her, leaving his job behind. My mom, a beloved kindergarten teacher, faced colon cancer with courage and love. Despite being given only six months to live in January 2024, she's been fighting for almost two years—always encouraging us, inspiring us, and showing us what resilience truly looks like.

Today, we're all getting ready and saying our goodbyes to our mom, but her love and pride fuel everything my sister and I do. My sister, 19, continues to play and coach basketball in Spain, while I am working hard to achieve my dreams here in the U.S.

While we are independent and have jobs, the cost of my mom’s treatments and medications has left our family in a difficult financial situation. This fundraiser is to help my dad with daily expenses, medical costs, and to give him the support he so selflessly gave us over the years. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference in our lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your generosity will not only help my family, but it will also honor the strength and love of my mom, who battled like a champion and gave everything for us.

With gratitude,

Itziar