Hello everyone,

We are creating this fundraiser for a dear relative, Xiomara, or Mara as she is more commonly known. Mara has been courageously fighting stage 3 endometrial and ovarian cancer since being diagnosed in May of 2025. Mara is unfortunately too familiar with the possibilities of what living with a cancer diagnosis means, having lost her own mother to cancer when she needed her the most.

In June, Mara underwent a major surgery and has been recovering with incredible strength and faith. She began chemotherapy on July 30th, which should continue for six months, followed by radiation treatments (5 external and 3 internal). Sadly, she had to pause her treatments due to tachycardia, which is an excessively rapid heartbeat that can lead to stroke or heart attack. Despite all that she has endured, Mara continues to stay positive and hopeful for the future.

Unfortunately, this journey has brought serious financial challenges. Mara has been out of work since May 30th, and her temporary disability benefits have run out. Her husband Robert, who has been her main support, suffered a back injury from a serious fall in December 2024 and has been in physical therapy ever since due to very little function of his dominant right leg. This has limited his ability to work or even drive.

To make things even more difficult, their family is facing housing insecurity. They spent five months living in motels before finally finding a steady sub-rental in a partially finished basement that had a bathroom. Here they were able to bring in their own stove and use an existing mini fridge, but they have to improvise by washing their dishes in a plastic container because there is no sink. They have made makeshift room dividers for privacy to make this basement into a home.

This family is in an impossible situation. In order to receive help for rent, you must have a lease. In order to have a proper leased apartment, you must be employed or be receiving financial help. However, they are grateful for their current home and are doing their best to stay there; but with ongoing medical costs not paid by insurance, rent, and daily living expenses, it’s becoming increasingly difficult.

Through all of this, Mara has continued to show incredible resilience, especially for her 11-year-old autistic son Nathaniel, who has been a true trooper through his mom’s illness. Nathaniel didn’t get the carefree summer he deserved, but he has faced everything with love and understanding beyond his years.

Despite the many obstacles, Mara and her family remain full of faith, gratitude, and hope. They’re praying for continued healing and strength and dreaming of having a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas as long as they are together.

We are asking for your help in supporting this amazing family. Any amount you can give — no matter how small — will go directly toward medical bills, rent, food, transportation to treatments, and basic living expenses while Mara continues her fight and recovery.

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page or keeping this family in your prayers. Every bit of kindness helps more than you can imagine.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read their story and for showing love to a family that truly deserves it.

With gratitude,

Diana & Rick Wernli