How does a single mother with life-threatening cancer keep it together?

NEW YORK - Nov. 14, 2022 - PRLog -- Late last year, Kristina did not feel well. All of her energy was gone. She told us that instead of falling asleep at night, she would just pass out. Something wasn't right.

She had a constant low-grade fever. And with the ever-present fear of covid that we all live with, she kept taking covid tests; but they were all negative.

Kristina is a breast cancer survivor. Having lived through that experience, she knew something was wrong.

She wasn't happy with her medical care, so she made an appointment with a new primary care physician. That doctor immediately scheduled blood work.

While driving home, Kristina received a call from her new doctor.

She was asked to pull over. Her white blood cell count was through the roof, and no one understood how she had the strength to stand up, let alone drive. She insisted that she was just minutes from home.

An ambulance was sent to bring her to the hospital. Fifteen minutes after arriving at the hospital, she was diagnosed with a blood cancer (acute myeloid leukemia).

After months of chemotherapy, Kristina received her bone marrow transplant. It was successful, but her follow-up visits will continue for many months.

Kristina has been unable to work since her diagnosis. She is not expected to return to work until April of next year.

We Are Glad S/he Found Us

The Icla da Silva Foundation provides emotional, logistical, and financial support to patients who require a bone marrow or cord blood transplant.

Kristina lived out of state from the nearest transplant center. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to help Kristina travel back and forth to receive treatment. We also provided her family with a small grant to essentially keep the lights on.

These small grants, in addition to emotional support, helped Kristina get back on her feet.

Watch Kristina tell her story. Her heartfelt emotion is powerful as she shares how the Icla da Silva Foundation removed some of her barriers and supported her recovery.

https://youtu.be/oYY33UdZYcQ



It's a long journey, and it isn't over yet, but we look forward to her recovery.

Please consider a small donation so we can continue removing barriers for more patients like Kristina - https://auebpkjh.donorsupport.co/-/XDFTDKPM

As a 501(c)(3) your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest amount allowed by tax law.

Together we will make a difference.

Thanks for reading.