Asking for help is not something Eliza would ever do easily — she has spent her entire life being the one who gives. But right now, she needs support from the community she has given so much to.

Eliza Alverio has been courageously fighting leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, since May 23rd 2025. Over the past months, she has had well over 100 medical appointments; 7 biopsies, 8 rounds of chemotherapy, with countless scans, appointments, and procedures. Through it all, Eliza has faced every challenge with remarkable strength, grace, and a constant concern for everyone else before herself.

For the past 16 years, Eliza dedicated her career to serving as a Special Education Classroom Assistant with Chicago Public Schools. She is one of the most selfless people you could ever meet — a tireless advocate for her students, her colleagues, and her community. Even during her most difficult days, she has remained focused on how others are doing, rarely stopping to think about herself.

Recently, imaging confirmed that Eliza’s cancer has metastasized to her brain. While this was incredibly difficult news to receive, we are grateful to share that her care team has a clear and focused plan. Eliza will undergo targeted radiation sessions to address the brain lesions, and once that is completed, the plan is to resume chemotherapy to continue attacking the cancer throughout the rest of her body.

Outside of her fight, Eliza is someone whose life revolves around love and family. She is a devoted mother to her three beloved sons, and her greatest joy comes from being surrounded by her family — her siblings, daughter in law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the many people who are lucky enough to call her theirs. She has always been the one showing up, supporting others, and holding families together.

Adding to the heartbreak of these last several months, Eliza also recently lost her beloved dog, Louie, who was a constant source of comfort and companionship throughout her journey.

This illness has also forced Eliza to retire earlier than she ever anticipated, creating significant financial strain on top of an already exhausting medical journey. Between medical treatments, radiation, ongoing chemotherapy, hospital stays, medications, specialist care, lost income, and everyday living expenses, the cost of care has become insurmountable.

This GoFundMe has been created to help relieve some of that burden so Eliza can focus on what matters most right now — continuing treatment, spending meaningful time with the people she loves, and facing each day with the strength she is known for — without the constant weight of financial stress.

Funds raised will help cover:

-Medical bills, treatments, and medications

-Radiation therapy and ongoing chemotherapy

-Unanticipated costs related to ongoing care

Any donation, share, or message of support means more than words can express. Supporting Eliza is a way to give back to someone who has spent her life giving so much to others.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for standing with Eliza and her family during this incredibly difficult chapter.

With deep gratitude,

Eliza’s loving family