Her Financial Struggle Due to Cancer Was Unbearable

Schaumburg, IL

When Sarah was diagnosed with a rare cancer that forms tumors on bone, her life was upended. A tumor on her pelvis forced her to take unpaid leave under FMLA.

It protected her health insurance but left her without income.

As treatment went beyond 12 weeks, her employer chose not to extend FMLA, and Sarah was let go. She applied for unemployment, but because she was not able to work due to illness, she was deemed ineligible.

Over time, her condition worsened. Her diagnosis evolved to multiple myeloma and later she developed POEMS syndrome, a rare and complex disorder with symptoms that include severe neuropathy.

After a year without income, the combination of medical and living expenses became overwhelming. Bills piled up, and her situation was unbearable.

Asking for help was difficult for Sarah. Family and friends were there for her, but the financial burden grew worse as her treatments became more frequent and intense.

Providing A Lifeline

When it came time for her stem cell transplant, the treatment that could save her life, she faced insurmountable financial barriers. Cancer had already taken away her job and her income. The mounting costs of medical care and living expenses left her overwhelmed.

That’s when the Icla da Silva Foundation stepped in, providing essential financial support when she needed it most. This lifeline gave Sarah the means to proceed with her transplant, covering critical expenses like her hotel stay during stem cell collection. For many patients, relocation is required before and after transplant, but those costs weren’t covered by her insurance.

Grateful for the support, Sarah shared, “Thank you so much for granting me assistance. It should cover most of the hotel bill from my stem cell collection and allow me to get some happy food to eat while holed up in my room for the next few weeks.”

Sarah’s stem cell transplant was a success! While her journey isn’t over, we’re hopeful for her full recovery and proud to have given her a 2nd chance at life.

Your generosity makes a story like Sarah’s possible. Every gift, no matter the size, can be the lifeline a patient needs to overcome the unimaginable challenges of cancer.

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Thanks for reading.

Written by: Bret Itskowitch