When There Is Support There Is Hope

Dear Friends,

For eighteen years, I have been walking a razor’s edge between survival and surrender. Cancer has been an unwelcome visitor in my life, returning again and again, testing my strength, my spirit, and my resolve. I’ve battled tumors in my uterus, throat, lungs and ovary. Today, another tumor is growing in my hip—a constant reminder of the fragility of life.

And yet, I’m still here. Still fighting. Still hoping.

This time, I am at a crossroads. The options laid before me are as daunting as the disease itself. Surgery risks permanent disability—or worse. Chemotherapy could end my life faster than the tumor. Traditional treatments aren't just uncertain; they’ve become unbearable. I need a different path forward, one that strengthens my body, quiets my pain, and gives me a chance—not just to survive, but to live again.

This path isn’t covered by insurance. It’s expensive, and after nearly two decades of fighting, my resources are gone. That’s why I’m turning to you.

Let me take you back to the beginning.

In 2006, my world changed forever when I underwent my first surgery to remove diseased tissue from my uterus. The years that followed brought more surgeries, more pain, and more questions than answers. By 2009, cancer had spread to my neck and trachea, requiring an invasive operation that left me with permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and a weakened diaphragm. In 2013, the cancer returned, this time in my cervix and ovary.

Each time, I endured. Each time, I found a way to keep going.

Now, the stakes are even higher. The tumor in my hip grows larger every day, threatening my ability to walk, sit, and even stand. Doctors have warned that surgery could lead to amputation or leave me permanently disabled. The chemotherapy options carry risks so severe they could end my life within months.

I’ve explored every option. I’ve consulted with experts. I’ve tried to fight this disease with every ounce of strength I have.

But I’m exhausted. I can’t do this alone.

Every day, I wake up in pain. There are moments when the thought of enduring one more day feels impossible. But then I think of my son, whose wedding is just weeks away. I dream of dancing with him, standing tall, and celebrating his joy without the shadow of cancer looming over me.

I’ve missed so much already. At my daughter’s wedding, I could only manage a few moments with her before the pain forced me to retreat to a bed upstairs. I don’t want that to happen again.

This isn’t just about me. It’s about the people I love. It’s about the life I still have left to live.

Your generosity will help me access treatments that focus on strengthening my immune system, rehabilitating my damaged lungs, managing my pain, and giving my body the tools it needs to heal. These treatments are my best—and perhaps only—chance to reduce the size of this tumor without risking my life or mobility.

Specifically, your donations will allow me to:

> Begin intensive therapies to reduce pain and improve mobility.

> Access specialized care to address the root causes of my illness.

> Rebuild my strength so I can stand, walk, and live with dignity.

This isn’t just about surviving cancer. It’s about reclaiming my life.

There are days when I give up because the pain is too much, the road ahead too daunting. Being bedridden for the past five years has provided me with ample time to consider the dilemma I live with: shall I continue to live the remainder of my life with all this pain or shall I end it in one final instant? These thoughts come by for weekly visits, and entertain them I do. And then I remind myself: Miracles happen. Angels show up in the darkest moments.

You are my angels.

I know times are tough for many, but if you’ve ever wondered whether your kindness can make a difference, let me assure you—it can. Your support can be the miracle I’ve been waiting for.

*Donate: Every dollar counts. Whether it’s $5 or $500, your contribution will bring me closer to the care I need.

*Share My Story: Spreading the word can have a ripple effect. If you can’t give, sharing this campaign is another way to help.

*Send Words of Encouragement: Your messages of hope remind me that I’m not alone in this fight.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Miri