Ginnie Mendez

I never thought I would have to tell a story like this. Not long ago, my life felt normal. I had routines, plans, things I was working toward and then everything changed with one word: leukemia. I was only 20 years old when I was diagnosed. Hearing that didn’t feel real at first. It’s the kind of thing you hear about happening to other people, not you. But suddenly, my life became doctor visits, treatments, and trying to stay strong on days when I don’t always feel like I am. Right now, I’m in the middle of my treatment. I still have more cycles to go, which means this fight isn’t over yet but I’m closer to the end than the beginning. And that’s something I hold onto every single day. Some days are harder than others. The physical exhaustion, the emotional weight, the uncertainty it all adds up. But I keep showing up. I keep pushing through. Because I want my life back. I want to feel normal again. I want a future beyond this. One of the hardest parts of this journey isn’t just the illness itself it’s everything that comes with it. The medical bills, the stress, the things that don’t pause just because you’re going through something like this. Treatment is expensive, and it adds up quickly. I’m asking for help so I can focus on healing instead of constantly worrying about how I’m going to manage everything. Any support whether it’s donating, sharing, or even just keeping me in your thoughts means more than I can fully explain. This isn’t easy to share. It’s vulnerable and honestly a little scary. But if there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s that strength doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. And thank you for being part of my fight.