Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers, (UPDATES BELOW)

My name is RayJohn, and I’m reaching out to you with a heavy heart on behalf of my mom, Leslie Jane Rivera. She’s a fighter and a true survivor who first beat maxillary sinus cancer 30 years ago, and just three years ago, she battled and defeated breast cancer. But now, we’re facing an unexpected and heartbreaking situation. Her maxillary sinus cancer has returned after all these years.

Earlier this year, between April and May, Mom underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but despite the doctors' best efforts, they couldn’t remove it all. The tumor board, after careful consideration, believes this recurrence might be due to the radiation and chemo she received while fighting breast cancer. They’ve advised that she needs another surgery, one that’s even more complex and costly, to remove what’s still growing.

This time, the surgery involves accessing the tumor through her upper jaw and into the bone where it sits. After removing the cancer, they’ll need to replace the area with a prosthetic bone to avoid further complications. The cost of this procedure is overwhelming, and with her insurance failing to cover it, we’re left to pay out of pocket. To even begin the surgery, we need to pay half upfront, with the rest due within 6-8 months.

We’re doing everything we can to get financial assistance through the government, but the process takes time, and time is something we don’t have. The tumor is growing, and we’re desperate to start the surgery before it gets worse.

This is why I’m turning to you, our friends, family, and anyone willing to help. We need your support to give my mom the chance she deserves to beat this cancer once again. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you can’t donate, sharing our story or keeping us in your prayers would mean the world to us.

Thank you for reading and thank you for helping us in any way you can. My mom means the world to us; your kindness could make all the difference in her fight.

UPDATE 12/30/2025 The doctors have found another tumor and has said that my mom has a rare case. We are pending authorization but we will start with chemo.

UPDATE 01/26/25 My mom's chemo starts Feb 2nd and will continue on til Oct 2026 depending on how she reacts to the therapy. She will have a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to fight this new fast growing tumor. They want to use surgery as a last resort because it will completely alter her facial structure and render her not being able to talk or to eat. Thank you everyone for following along on our long and continuous battle with cancer. Your faith and love give my mom strength,

With deep gratitude,

Rivera Family