Hi, for those who don’t know me personally, my name is Maria Washington. I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in September 2024. I have been an educator for the last 21 years, with the last 15 as a media coordinator (school librarian). I made it through 5 weeks of this school year before the diagnosis. I have been out of work since September due to my compromised immune system because of the leukemia. I have had 3 hospital stays and I am preparing for a bone marrow transplant next month (February 2025). This will require a month’s hospital stay, and we will have to stay in temporary housing in Chapel Hill for two and a half months post-transplant. Thankfully, I had enough leave saved up to continue getting paid through January, but that is ending. I will also have to cover my own health insurance premiums once I enter leave with no pay. Cory has started a transportation business to allow for more freedom to help me get to appointments and be my primary caregiver after the transplant. As with any new business, it takes time to generate any real income. We have put off asking for donations for as long as we could. We could really use help covering two deductibles for insurance (2024 and 2025), temporary housing in Chapel Hill, insurance premiums, and our normal bills and expenses. Anything you are able to donate to help would be greatly appreciated. You never think about the financial impact getting sick like this will have on your family. If you have the option to pay for additional insurance for cancer, disability, or anything like that, do it! Hopefully, you never need it, but if you do, you will be glad you have it. Obviously, I didn’t, so learn from me.