Hello friends! I wanted to give some background on why my husband and I decided to start a GoFundMe and where I am now in my treatment. But first, we wanted to say that to anyone that donates, we appreciate all the support & donations we receive. Even if it’s a little, it makes a HUGE difference. Thank you to every person that takes the time to read about me and my current journey with blood cancer ️

My name is Maria, but I prefer to go by Rayne c: In July of 2024, I was diagnosed with a really aggressive form of AML Leukemia with complex cytogenetics that include BCOR and NF1 mutations. My prognosis was poor from the beginning due to having multiple chromosome abnormalities, but I was still eligible for a stem cell transplant that could potentially save my life. In November of 2024, my youngest sister donated her stem cells, and I received the transplant with very few complications! The transplant should’ve cut my chances of relapse in half, but it was never really a guarantee, plus it was so early.

But in January 2025, I relapsed for the first time. The doctors had hope that we could save my transplant because the relapse was caught so quickly. For months, I did chemotherapy to try and get me to a point where I could receive a booster of stem cells my sister had donated (donor lymphocyte infusion). Unfortunately, when I got close to having less than 5% of leukemia cells, I relapsed again in May 2025. Regardless, I kept doing chemotherapy until recently, where my body has stopped reacting to the usual chemotherapy, and I am currently relapsing again.

Due to the relapses, all of my donor cells didn’t stand a chance against the leukemia cells. When I took a chimerism test, I found out I no longer had any of my donor cells left, making me ineligible for the donor lymphocyte infusion. My oncologist said my next step and only step left is to do induction chemotherapy again and get a 2nd transplant. Although that may be the case, I decided to seek a second opinion at MD Anderson and transfer my care there. I plan to keep fighting until I can’t anymore, so I will do anything to get more time on this tiny planet. Due to concerns with my care team and the way my oncologist just wasn’t as involved and often seemed unaware/unprepared at office appointments, I decided to leave my home state and seek care in one of the best cancer hospitals in the US, where hopefully my concerns and needs will be heard and monitored closely. Right now, it’s uncertain if they’ll have clinical trials I can try, but there is hope because MD Anderson has accepted me as a new patient, and I will be treated there like I’ve wanted for a long time now. I feel so thankful that they’ve looked at my case and are willing to help me and possibly give me more options. I will definitely feel more comfortable in their care.

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All donations will be going to my medical expenses and medication that aren’t covered by insurance, along with food, travel/gas/car expenses, housing, and any other financial burdens we may have along the way.

My husband and I are from Oklahoma, which is about 7 hours away by car, so we will be temporarily relocating to Houston until I’m well enough to go back home to my family. It may not be easy for us, and it was all very much drop everything and leave, but it’s very necessary to achieve the care I feel I deserve.

Any kind of support is appreciated! Even if you can’t donate, sharing this page will help us out more than you know! Thank you again for taking the time to show us support. Even though times get tough, your thoughts and prayers help lift me up in these times. God bless! Your kindness will give me and my family lots of strength during this difficult time ❤️