To my family and friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you.

 I have decided to set up a GoFundMe page for my 19-year-old niece Mariela Sandoval - proudly named after me - a young and hardworking girl who’s priority in the last few years has been completing her degree in accounting at university in Venezuela. She’s stayed focused on her goal despite being separated from her family and dealing with the realities of Venezuela’s unstable economy and political situation.

For the last few months Mariela has been experiencing strange symptoms, but had been unable to see a doctor until recently because of her busy schedule. Finally, in early February she went to see her family doctor, who immediately sent her to undergo tests upon assessing her symptoms. Soon after, she called me in tears and informed me of the heartbreaking news - my beloved Mariela has uterine cancer.

 She was scared, sitting in the doctor’s office alone, not able to receive the support of her family who now live abroad due to the country’s deteriorating conditions. Even worse, my family was horrified to hear the unimaginable and unthinkable news that the cancer has been silently spreading throughout her body since the age of 14. We all wish we could hold her in this difficult moment, and are trying our best to help her from afar.

 Venezuela's public health system is in shambles and getting treated is unfortunately not an option, we had to turn to private care. Coupled with a constantly devalued local currency; our family is unable to provide the full financial support necessary to pay the medical bills required for her treatment. The treatment plan includes various tests, from MRIs to ultrasounds, in addition to radiotherapy and chemo, all done in an attempt to eradicate her cancer.

 Mariela needs to start her treatment ASAP in order to have a fighting chance. While we know she is strong and brave, we hope that creating this GoFundMe page will assist in collecting the financial resources necessary to embark on her path to recovery. Together we can enable Mariela to live out her bright future.

 Thank you,


Mariela Sandoval (Aunt)
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Hemos creado esta Pagina GoFundme para darle el apoyo y la ayuda necesaria a mi Sobrina Mariela Sandoval, que orgullosamente se llama igual que yo!!! y que siempre estaba dispuesta a luchar por su futuro en un pais devastado sin mucho que prometer.
Mariela con tan solo 19 años es estudiante del tercer semestre de Contaduria logrando muchos triunfos en su poco tiempo cursando la carrera. 

Despues de una visita al medico ginecologo por unas dolencias que tenia, este asombrado por lo que vio le refirio para hacerse urgentemente una biopsia. La cual tardo un tiempo conociendo la situacion de Venezuela en los procesos medicos.
Dias mas tarde el temido resultado llego para descubrir que Mariela Tiene Cancer de Cuello de Utero avanzado. Quizas ya por unos 5 años silenciosamente sin mostrar sintomas.

La familia esta devastada, por todo lo que envuelve la palabra CANCER!! De ahora en adelante la cantidad de estudios, tratamiento especiales, Resonancia, rayos X , quimioterapia y todo lo que conlleva este duro proceso nos ha puesto en la necesidad de buscar ayuda contra reloj.

Venezuela esta undida en una pelea diaria de sobreviviencia en la que los costos medicos y tratamientos de salud son inasequibles para muchos sin posibilidades economicas.

Mariela necesita comenzar su tratamiento de inmediato para tener un chance y lograr salir airosa de esto. Ella es muy valiente y positiva, y tiene  muchas ganas de vivir y salir adelante olvidando este capitulo amargo y dejarlo en el pasado. Con esta pagina (GoFundMe) podremos lograr recaudar la ayuda monetaria suficiente para su recuperacion, tratamiento y asi tener un futuro bonito y quizas una vida muy larga.

Mil Gracias!!!

Mariela Sandoval (Tia)