Karyna

Karyna – 13 Y/O Fighting Acute Lymph Leukemia (ALL) Mother Laid Off While Being Sole Breadwinner to Family off 3

The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation (JJCCF) is receiving tax-deductible donations in honor of Karyna.

Story:

Karyna, 13 Y/O, Miami Children’s Hospital
Karyna was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in April 2011. Since her diagnosis, she has been hospitalized at least 6 times, and has been receiving aggressive chemotherapy. During the time Karyna was hospitalized her mother Maria has not moved from her bedside, because of this Maria was recently laid off. Maria is the sole breadwinner for her family of three; they receive no help from Karyna’s father who is currently incarcerated. Maria is currently behind on her rent, phone, and water bill, she has also not been able to buy her eldest daughters school supplies that she needs to complete her final year of high school.

Needs:

For the next couple of months while Karyna is undergoing intense chemotherapy, her family will need assistance with their rent, groceries, water and gift cards.

Message from Hospital Social Worker:

August 26, 2011

Dear Sandra,

Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foudantion

This letter is on behalf of Karyne Diaz, a thirteen-year old girl, diagnosed with Acute Lymph Leukemia (ALL) on April 2011. The patient is presently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and has been hospitalized at least 6 times since her diagnosis. The patient is also followed on an outpatient basis by our Hematology/Oncology clinic.

The patient resides with her mother, Maria Gonzalez and her 18-year-old sister. Karyna’s dad is currently incarcerated, and has not seen his daughters in several years. Due to his incarceration, he is unable to assist the family financially.

The patient’s mother has been head household for several years, she is a hard worker, who never neglected her job duties, working from the hospital when Karyna was hospitalized. Unfortunately, last week Ms. Gonzalez was laid off by her employer. The family is in dire need of financial assistance with their basic needs such as: rent, groceries, water bill, phone, school uniform and school supplies for her oldest daughter, Maria. The financial stressors are having a negative impact on the emotional well-being of the family.

Karyna is a sweet girl who will celebrate her 14^th birthday next month. Unfortunately, due to the family’s current financial circumstances, Ms. Gonzalez is worried she may not be able to celebrate her daughter’s birthday this year.

I ask that you please assist the family with any of their basic needs. This is a family that would be grateful with any assistance your organization may provide. I thank you in advance for any financial assistance you may provide this family.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Gonzalez, MSW

Pediatric Social Worker

Plea from Mother, 08/24/11:

My name is Maria Gonzalez and I am the mother of a beautiful 13 y/o named Karyna. My daughter was diagnosed with ALL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on April 6, 2011. Since this day my whole world has crumble. I have not been able to work to take care of my daughter and take her to the hospital on a weekly basis for her treatment as well remain at her bedside when shes admitted, which has been quite a few times. We are currently admitted at MCH for a heavy dose of chemo for 4 days.

At this moment I’m undergoing financial hardship, I’m late on my rent again, have not been able to pay my phone nor my water and barely have gas money. My oldest daughter has started her senior year and I was not able to buy her any school clothes or supplies for school, being a teenager she does not understand. My daughters are my world, their father is currently incarcerated and has not been involved in their life for the past seven years. Karynas birthday is coming up September 24 and I can’t even ask her for a laptop nor take her to her favorite restaurant Olive Garden. It hurts me a lot.

II always tried to provide for my children the best I could, but I’ve been hit with this terrible disease, and I want to be able to breathe a little and don’t go to bed every night thinking what’s going to become of me if I’m unable to be there for my kids. This is why I ask for additional assistance.

God Bless,
Maria Gonzalez

Karyna Diaz with mother Maria Gonzalez at Miami Children’s Hospital