My name is Joe and I am starting this fundraiser to help my friend Meli Codina who needs brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. She is 32 years old and lives in Bello Colombia with her 2 young children, Melissa and Daniel. Young Daniel suffers with autism. Like many women in Colombia, Meli is a single mother.

I am proud to say the she is an extraordinary mother who works hard to provide for her two children. Melissa and Daniel love her dearly and rely on her.

A few weeks ago, Meli began experiencing severe headaches, ear pain, facial numbness, eye discomfort and blurred vision, as well as fevers and excessive sweating. She was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor a few days ago and is in need of brain surgery as soon as possible to remove the tumor.

Even with insurance, her out-of-pocket expenses for the procedure are substantial. Her mother is deceased and she has no other family to rely on. God has blessed her with receiving monetary assistance from the Colombian Women’s Cancer Foundation, the Colombia Ministry of Health, as well as friends. Still she is approximately $8,000 USD short of the amount required to schedule her surgery.

She finds herself in a desperate situation. This surgery has a very good success rate if it is done without delay. However, she has no additional financial resources that she can access.

As each day passes, her debilitating symptoms increase. And although she fears for her future if the procedure cannot be performed soon, her greatest fear is leaving her two children without a mother. Her children need her - she is all they have. She has been their mother, father, protector, provider, and source of unconditional love. Melissa and Daniel’s future hangs in the balance.

I am seeking donations, large, or small, to help with Meli‘s plight. Any amount, no matter how small, will be accepted with incredible gratitude. Meli has a deep faith in God. And we will trust God to work in this situation.

I ask that you please help my friend Meli with anything you can. I have been so blessed to know Meli and her two beautiful children. She is a wonderful person. She is determined not to let this condition defeat her.

Please give what you can. Thank you and God bless you. And God bless my wonderful friend Meli Codina.