My name is Tanya. I was 12 when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. At 15, I had a recurrence and they did fast neutron beam radiation on it. Eventually, my lower jaw got osteoradionecrosis and needed to be replaced using bone from my leg and metal to support it. Everything seemed to take and healed up.

A year and a half ago, I began to develop a staph infection that they could not completely get rid of. I had constant infections despite being on antibiotics. My jaw started to change shape and color, but we could not figure out why until one night I was cleaning a wound that had developed on my chin and I realized either bone or metal was poking through the wound. It was eventually determined that the metal broke. We could not find any doctor willing to help. I was terrified at the idea of an open wound that won't heal and even worse infections.

Finally, I was able to be seen in the Mayo Clinic and it is a huge blessing, but the travel expenses I am facing are more than I can handle. We will need to make several trips up here and possibly stay up here for several months. Any help is so very appreciated. Funds will be used for travel and accommodations during the surgeries that need to be done.