Leila

Imagine for a moment that you are a single mom of three kids. You have no other family. You are also a full-time paramedic and in school full-time working towards your Masters in Literature and Creative Writing, with dreams of becoming a college professor. You have recently come off of low-income housing after months of working towards a better job. Imagine the stress that you feel. And then you get a diagnosis that changes everything – late stage two, inoperable cervical cancer, as well as possible right breast and thyroid cancer. You are forced to stop working and begin chemotherapy 8 hours a day for 6 weeks. You fear you will not make rent. 

Where do you turn? 

Thankfully, you have a friend who suggests Together Rising, and you reach out. We are able to step in and pay a remaining medical bill of $1315, and also cover 3-months of rent and utilities. 

You write to us:

“I received the funds and I have no way to express my gratitude. Each day is a struggle while battling this disease and this has taken a huge burden off of me as a single mother. I can now focus on getting better and hopefully cured. My daughters wanted to express their gratitude as well. We all cried when the money came through. You truly have been our guardian angels. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you. 

Eternally grateful to you all,

Leila, Sky, Sage and Bella” 

And then a few days ago you send us a picture of you pain-free for the first time in over a year. And we are reminded of the power of asking for help, and the power of being able to come together to help.