#TeamBermejo
Donation protected
Friends and Family of Karina,
As some of you know, Karina, fearless leader and inspiration to many, is facing a new life challenge – one she will surely beat! However, total anticipated out-of-pocket expenses are between $75,000 and $100,000. This journey began in mid-November when she underwent a mastectomy and will continue as she manages her chemotherapy treatment for the next five months.
During this time, not only has Karina continued (and plans to continue) her work as CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino, she continues to motivate us with her strength and resilience. If you have ever asked Karina why she took on the CEO role she will share with you that she felt a calling to serve. While there was never a doubt that this was an authentic belief, it cannot be more evident today. This civic servant literally scheduled her mastectomy after an Instituto event where the organization was scheduled around critical Instituto events. In addition, despite being in recovery from a major surgery, she has continued to lead board meetings and her team during a trying time for the Chicago kids and families she serves. She was also present at Instituto during the holiday toy drive because she knows how meaningful the event is to the community. Karina was also the keynote speaker at the inaugural Instituto College of nursing graduation, one she said she would not have missed as it was a pivotal milestone for Instituto especially as she witnessed the miraculous journey of our resilient students and dedicated educators and leaders to achieve this dream.
If you know Karina personally you know how much time she also dedicates to her family. She is the primary income provider as her Frankie keeps all the other aspects of their loving home moving forward. You can usually find her and Frankie organizing community events, supporting activities for their 3 children, or spending time carpooling their kids. Right now, she not only has to focus on her recovery and family, the reality is that she is unfortunately also fighting for proper medical insurance coverage with the help and support of her doctors. I am sure many of you who know or have personally gone through a life altering experience recognize the financial hardship that comes along with it. Specific to Karina and her family, in addition to the increase in medical and household expenses (i.e. deductibles, medicine, etc.) you would naturally expect, Karina will incur more than $50,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for her reconstructive surgery alone.
And so, we open this page months after Karina’s journey began because as much as Karina lives and breathes for her family and community, she has not asked for much. On her behalf, we know that this is a difficult time for her and her family and we kindly ask that you consider supporting and relieving some unnecessary financial stress. Let's allow her to feel the love and support she deserves and is always ready to give.
As some of you know, Karina, fearless leader and inspiration to many, is facing a new life challenge – one she will surely beat! However, total anticipated out-of-pocket expenses are between $75,000 and $100,000. This journey began in mid-November when she underwent a mastectomy and will continue as she manages her chemotherapy treatment for the next five months.
During this time, not only has Karina continued (and plans to continue) her work as CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino, she continues to motivate us with her strength and resilience. If you have ever asked Karina why she took on the CEO role she will share with you that she felt a calling to serve. While there was never a doubt that this was an authentic belief, it cannot be more evident today. This civic servant literally scheduled her mastectomy after an Instituto event where the organization was scheduled around critical Instituto events. In addition, despite being in recovery from a major surgery, she has continued to lead board meetings and her team during a trying time for the Chicago kids and families she serves. She was also present at Instituto during the holiday toy drive because she knows how meaningful the event is to the community. Karina was also the keynote speaker at the inaugural Instituto College of nursing graduation, one she said she would not have missed as it was a pivotal milestone for Instituto especially as she witnessed the miraculous journey of our resilient students and dedicated educators and leaders to achieve this dream.
If you know Karina personally you know how much time she also dedicates to her family. She is the primary income provider as her Frankie keeps all the other aspects of their loving home moving forward. You can usually find her and Frankie organizing community events, supporting activities for their 3 children, or spending time carpooling their kids. Right now, she not only has to focus on her recovery and family, the reality is that she is unfortunately also fighting for proper medical insurance coverage with the help and support of her doctors. I am sure many of you who know or have personally gone through a life altering experience recognize the financial hardship that comes along with it. Specific to Karina and her family, in addition to the increase in medical and household expenses (i.e. deductibles, medicine, etc.) you would naturally expect, Karina will incur more than $50,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for her reconstructive surgery alone.
And so, we open this page months after Karina’s journey began because as much as Karina lives and breathes for her family and community, she has not asked for much. On her behalf, we know that this is a difficult time for her and her family and we kindly ask that you consider supporting and relieving some unnecessary financial stress. Let's allow her to feel the love and support she deserves and is always ready to give.
Please keep the Bermejo family in your prayers.
With love,
#TeamBermejo
The greatest good is what we do for one another - Mother Teresa
Organizer and beneficiary
Team Bermejo
Organizer
Wilmette, IL
Karina Ayala-Bermejo
Beneficiary