Help Sweetie Fight Cancer!
Donation protected
My name is Juan Carlos Salgado, Recently my sister, Suyrin Lema, was diagnosed with (All) leukemia cancer....Although her name is Suyrin at home we call her "Sweetie."
Sweetie's Story:
Sweetie was depressed for a couple of months before her diagnosis because her father had willingly walked out her life. One day she was cooking tacos for me and even the tacos, which turned out fine did not satisfy her. During these months she began fainting, and the family was unsure what was going on with Sweetie. To try to cheer up Sweetie’s spirit, I, her brother, created a ritual of a brother-sister Saturday movie nights. But Sweetie was not getting better, she slowly started eating less, the fainting did not stop, and her depression was at a low. When her mother finally had a day off work, during the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to take Sweetie to the hospital to see what was happening. During the doctor’s visit the nurses began to take a lot if blood test and found that she had a low white blood cell level. Though Sweetie’s mom went to carry on a shift in her second job, I stayed with her to keep her company. The doctor finally came to announce the results and asked for her parents, I told the doctor that Sweetie only had me and out mother, no one else. When our mother arrived at the Hospital, the doctor finally announced that Sweetie was diagnosed with (All) leukemias cancer. The doctors then told Sweetie the news, she cried for three minutes and decided that she was going to fight this battle more than she has any other obstacles she has faced in the 14-years she has been living.
Facts About Childhood Cancer:
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, 30% of all childhood cancers are leukemias—the most common two types being acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia. Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of death among children, which is why education and awareness about childhood cancer is so important. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 80% of children with cancer are now surviving more than five years. This is a huge increase from a 5-year survival rate of 58% in the mid-1970s, which is largely attributed to advances in medical treatment. Our
Family Story:
Emotionally, my family has been cherishing the moments we have been spending with Sweetie. It has been hard because when I was younger, I prayed to God for a sister, I promised God that if he granted me this wish I would be the best brother ever, I would take her out to eat and spend all my free time with her. Now here we are, 14-years later and there is a chance that I will be losing one of my biggest gifts in life. My mother, our main financial provider, has taken time off work to make sure Sweetie is eating a well-balanced diet and comforting her to help Sweetie fight this battle. We are concerned that my mother may lose her job and her medical benefits because of the time she has been spending with Sweetie. Currently, I am working my mother’s second job to make sure we have money for rent and food on the table.
What Will Happen Next:
The doctors have recommended that we stay strong, keep a positive attitude, and do the best to keep our head held high. Our family and the doctors have agreed that for these next two years Sweetie will be receiving Cyclophosphamide Cytoxan and Cytardine Chemo treatment. We do not know if she will stay using this treatment for the complete cancer fighting process, but have decided that while monitoring Sweetie, we will pick the treatment that is best for her condition as we go.
How will We Use These Funds: Due to the situation we are facing during this covid-19 pandemic, financially we are not doing well. This money we raise will go to pay for all of Sweetie’s unexpected medical bills. My mother is a firm believer that food is our natural medicine, so during this time we have switched Sweetie’s diet to a whole natural plant-based diet. Whole raw foods come at an expense so the money raised will also be distributed to her new diet. Last but not least, my mother is no longer working, and we are worried about rent and our medical insurance. This money will help us put a roof over our heads during these tough times and throughout the pandemic. Thank you for reading our fundraiser, and contributing to the cause. We understand that not everyone is able to provide financially, so please share our cause through Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth. We appreciate all and anything that is given to us. Bless you all and thank you again.
Sweetie's Story:
Sweetie was depressed for a couple of months before her diagnosis because her father had willingly walked out her life. One day she was cooking tacos for me and even the tacos, which turned out fine did not satisfy her. During these months she began fainting, and the family was unsure what was going on with Sweetie. To try to cheer up Sweetie’s spirit, I, her brother, created a ritual of a brother-sister Saturday movie nights. But Sweetie was not getting better, she slowly started eating less, the fainting did not stop, and her depression was at a low. When her mother finally had a day off work, during the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to take Sweetie to the hospital to see what was happening. During the doctor’s visit the nurses began to take a lot if blood test and found that she had a low white blood cell level. Though Sweetie’s mom went to carry on a shift in her second job, I stayed with her to keep her company. The doctor finally came to announce the results and asked for her parents, I told the doctor that Sweetie only had me and out mother, no one else. When our mother arrived at the Hospital, the doctor finally announced that Sweetie was diagnosed with (All) leukemias cancer. The doctors then told Sweetie the news, she cried for three minutes and decided that she was going to fight this battle more than she has any other obstacles she has faced in the 14-years she has been living.
Facts About Childhood Cancer:
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, 30% of all childhood cancers are leukemias—the most common two types being acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia. Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of death among children, which is why education and awareness about childhood cancer is so important. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 80% of children with cancer are now surviving more than five years. This is a huge increase from a 5-year survival rate of 58% in the mid-1970s, which is largely attributed to advances in medical treatment. Our
Family Story:
Emotionally, my family has been cherishing the moments we have been spending with Sweetie. It has been hard because when I was younger, I prayed to God for a sister, I promised God that if he granted me this wish I would be the best brother ever, I would take her out to eat and spend all my free time with her. Now here we are, 14-years later and there is a chance that I will be losing one of my biggest gifts in life. My mother, our main financial provider, has taken time off work to make sure Sweetie is eating a well-balanced diet and comforting her to help Sweetie fight this battle. We are concerned that my mother may lose her job and her medical benefits because of the time she has been spending with Sweetie. Currently, I am working my mother’s second job to make sure we have money for rent and food on the table.
What Will Happen Next:
The doctors have recommended that we stay strong, keep a positive attitude, and do the best to keep our head held high. Our family and the doctors have agreed that for these next two years Sweetie will be receiving Cyclophosphamide Cytoxan and Cytardine Chemo treatment. We do not know if she will stay using this treatment for the complete cancer fighting process, but have decided that while monitoring Sweetie, we will pick the treatment that is best for her condition as we go.
How will We Use These Funds: Due to the situation we are facing during this covid-19 pandemic, financially we are not doing well. This money we raise will go to pay for all of Sweetie’s unexpected medical bills. My mother is a firm believer that food is our natural medicine, so during this time we have switched Sweetie’s diet to a whole natural plant-based diet. Whole raw foods come at an expense so the money raised will also be distributed to her new diet. Last but not least, my mother is no longer working, and we are worried about rent and our medical insurance. This money will help us put a roof over our heads during these tough times and throughout the pandemic. Thank you for reading our fundraiser, and contributing to the cause. We understand that not everyone is able to provide financially, so please share our cause through Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth. We appreciate all and anything that is given to us. Bless you all and thank you again.
Fundraising team: Hope+Love (2)
Juan Salgado
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Jasmine Perez
Team member
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