My name is Isabel, I’m 23 years old, and my younger brother is 20, his name is Pablo from EL PASO TEXAS. And today we are asking for your help not for ourselves, but for the most important person in our lives: our mom.

Our mom is only 51 years old, but right now, she’s fighting for her life. She has been diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer that has already spread beyond her uterus into her bladder, rectum, and even her lungs. Every single day has been a battle against pain, fear, and uncertainty and yet she keeps smiling, trying to protect us from her suffering.

WHEN HOPE WAS SLIPPING AWAY

When doctors first told us there was nothing they could do, our world fell apart. We went from hospital to hospital, hoping someone would say something different. But every time, it was the same heartbreaking words:

“It’s too advanced. There’s nothing we can do.”

No one can prepare you for that moment when the person who gave you life is told there’s no hope. My brother and I couldn’t accept it. How could we tell our mother that no one would even try to save her?

A DOCTOR THAT GAVE US A SECOND CHANCE

When we were out of options, we discovered a ray of hope: Dr. Lourdes Cortez, a doctor in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, told my mother that Dr. Frank Arguello, a former professor of oncology, pediatric hematology, and oncology and senior scientist at the National Cancer Institute, Division of Drug Discovery, in Maryland, had treated her for Stage IV adrenal gland cancer eight years before. Dr. Arguello is the director of the Atavistic Chemotherapy Clinical Trial (AtavisticChemotherapy.com). This clinical trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov in the United States (NCT02366884).

When he heard our mother's story, he was open. He did not tell us to give up. Instead, he said something we hadn't heard before:

“I believe I can help her.”

Those words gave us hope again. In fact, Dr. Arguello told us that her mother died from gallbladder cancer almost at the same age as our mother, when he was 21 and a medical student. On his website he described that moving experience and his commitment since then to help families by developing truly effective treatments for cancer. He has treated many people with inoperable and stage IV cancer, most of them patients discharged from renowned hospitals in the US, Canada, and Mexico as hopeless or terminal cases.

Under Dr. Arguello’s care, our mom began a new treatment (atavistic chemotherapy). For the first time in months, she started getting stronger. Her pain eased. She began to smile again. She even told us she could feel her body fighting back.

THE SURGERY THAT COULD SAVE HER LIFE

Now, we’ve reached the most critical part of her journey: the surgery that could save her life.

The current objective is to shrink the tumor enough to make surgery possible. But this is not a simple operation. It’s a complex, high-risk procedure that will involve removing her entire uterus, rectum, and possibly her bladder. It may even require two separate surgeries to ensure safety and success. The cost for this life-saving surgery in a reputable hospital Mexico is about $15,000 USD. We’ve done everything we can borrowed money, sold personal belongings, and taken side jobs but no matter how hard we try, we simply can’t afford it on our own. We’re two young adults trying to save the woman who raised us, who taught us kindness, and who always believed that even in darkness, there’s light.

Her medical treatment with atavistic chemotherapy would continue for several months after the surgery until all cancer cells are eradicated.

WHO OUR MOM IS.

My mother has been always an active person, loves sport and helped many people in extreme poverty in ciudad Juarez, Mexico while she was working and now we're asking for help.

Our mom has never been one to surrender. She’s worked diligently all her life to provide for us, often putting our needs before her own. Even now, while she’s the one fighting cancer, she still worries about us, asking if we’ve eaten, if we’re sleeping, and if we’re doing well.

She tells us not to cry, that everything will be fine, even when she’s the one in pain. She says,

"If I can simply live long enough to witness both of you married and settled, that will suffice. Obviously, seeing grandchildren would be a dream come true.”

That’s who she is: selfless, strong, and full of love. And that’s why we’re doing everything in our power to save her.

WHY WE’RE ASKING FOR HELP

Every dollar donated will go directly toward her surgery and recovery—nothing else. Your support will cover hospital fees, surgical costs, medical supplies, and the postoperative care she will need to heal fully. I, her daughter, am responsible for this campaign and for paying for the surgery and hospital expenses in Mexico.

Even the smallest donation makes a difference:

Dr. Arguello believes this surgery is the only realistic way to save her life; the treatment cannot overcome that amount of cancer. The surgery would reduce the tumor burden by 90% in a matter of hours.

A MOTHER’S COURAGE

Our mom’s strength amazes us every single day. Even when the treatments make her tired, she still smiles and says, “I’m not done yet.”

She wants to live not just survive but truly live. She wants to cook her favorite meals again, to visit her parents, to see us graduate, to maybe one day hold her grandchildren.

We believe with all our hearts that this surgery can make that possible.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you’re reading this, please know that you can make a difference.

You can help us save our mom’s life.

Here’s how:

We know times are hard for many people, and it’s not easy to give. But even sharing our story means the world to us.

FROM OUR HEARTS

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Thank you for caring about a woman you’ve never met. Thank you for believing that one act of kindness can save a life.

Because it truly can.

And in this case, it will with your help.

With love and gratitude,

ISABELLA & MY BROTHER PABLO