English
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PortugueseREMOVING BARRIERS – Larissa’s Story
Winchester, Virginia
“Your foundation has saved my home, helped my children, and myself. I am just so grateful.”
Larissa’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2018. As a single mother, her world was turned upside down while battling a life-threatening disease.
She received a bone marrow transplant, but unfortunately, there were complications. Larissa was forced to undergo a second transplant in March.
One month before her scheduled transplant, Larissa received an eviction notice.
This added to the financial and emotional strain of her situation. Larissa has been unable to work due to her illness, and she had been in and out of the hospital with various infections and complications.
She was worried about her family.
Despite applying for assistance from other foundations, she received no response.
Icla Cares Supports A Patient in Need
When the Icla da Silva Foundation learned about Larissa’s situation, the Icla Cares program immediately stepped in to provide both financial and emotional assistance for her family. We paid her landlord to prevent eviction and provided emotional support to help her cope with the mental toll of her disease.
Thanks to our support, Larissa was able to focus on treatment and receive her bone marrow transplant.
Maintaining Close Contact
Adriana, an Icla Cares team member, kept in close contact with Larissa to provide a listening ear and a friendly voice whenever she needed it.
We want patients to know that they are never alone.
Adriana’s words of empathy and understanding helped lift Larissa’s spirits during some of her darkest moments.
Larissa,
Remember to call me anytime that you need to talk to someone. I am here for you. I am not a licensed therapist, but I consider myself a good friend. I am just a call away.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Adriana
You Can Make a Difference
Join us in our mission to remove financial barriers for patients who require a bone marrow transplant. Your gift can make all the difference in the world to a patient like Larissa.
Your donation will provide critical financial assistance to those who are struggling with out-of-pocket costs during treatment.
Together, we will help patients like Larissa focus on treatment and overcome the challenges caused by illness. Click on the button below to make a difference today.
Larissa reminds us to “be thankful and be grateful. Hold your babies tight and cherish every single second…as we all know, tomorrow is not promised.”
Written by: Bret Itskowitch
REMOVING BARRIERS – Braxston’s Story
Jacksonville, Florida
Little Braxston is only two-years-old. He recently received a bone marrow transplant to treat neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells.
When a patient receives a bone marrow transplant, they celebrate a second “birthday”. It signifies a new beginning!
We were happy that his mom shared photos of that adorable smile.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can be a difficult journey. His family had to travel 70 miles to receive treatment. This is an added expense that wasn’t planned for.
For his parents, every day off work is a day unpaid.
The Icla Cares program provided financial assistance for transportation and groceries on his journey to receive a transplant.
His mom Amber expressed tremendous gratitude from their family:
“The fund helped us a lot. It allowed us to make sure we had transportation to and from Braxston’s appointments [to receive his bone marrow transplant]. It also helped us get his favorite snacks for transplant! Which he loved. It made him feel more like he was at home knowing he had comfort food.” -Amber
Braxston is scheduled to receive radiation and 6-months of immunotherapy. We wish him a full recovery and many more birthdays with his family.
You can assist a patient like Braxston by donating to the Icla da Silva Foundation. Your gift will assist a patient on their journey to receive a bone marrow transplant.
Please donate today. Together we will make a difference for more patients and their families.
Written by: Bret Itskowitch
PATIENT UPDATE: We love to see a patient smileBurlington, Vermont
We just received an update from a recent patient. Kristina is a single mother who was diagnosed with AML and needed support traveling out-of-state to receive her treatments.
We removed that barrier and she recently reached out with an update:
“Airam,
My sons and I were able to get out in the new snow up north during school break to do some sledding. This is the 1st time we’ve revisited this tradition since before I got sick with AML!!!
Memories made!
-Kristina
Click and watch the 0:08 video below. Listen to her laughing!!
You can make more patients smile on their journey to a cure. Please donate today.
Read our first story about Kristina, and watch her video talking about the importance of the support she received using this link.
Helping a 3-Year-Old Battle Sickle CellREMOVING BARRIERS – KAYALI’S STORY
Jacksonville, FL
Mom Dellesha, donor Makira, and stem cell recipient Kayali
Dellesha is the proud mother of five beautiful children. Her 3-year-old, Kayali, was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at birth.
Kayali needed a bone marrow transplant. All of her siblings were tested and 11-year-old Makira, the oldest (and the bravest), was considered the best candidate to donate bone marrow.
But the transplant center was 160 miles away.
Dellesha uprooted her family to be closer to the transplant center. She could not work during months of treatment, so she cut expenses by ending their lease and putting everything into storage.
Once the bone marrow transplant was scheduled, a social worker from the hospital registered Kayali’s family for support.
The Icla Cares program removed the family’s barriers with a grant for gas, groceries, and some of that storage during Kayali’s treatment and transplant.
Fortunately, the transplant was a success.
Dellesha is grateful and has high hopes for their future.
She considers the Icla da Silva Foundation to be like family. While she was thankful to receive funds, she said she was very grateful for our concern. “I received so many texts, always asking how I was doing, how Kayali was. The Foundation is like family.”
Dellesha doesn’t like talking about what they went through, but she has heartfelt words for other patient families going through the same challenge:
“Have faith, because that’s what you’re going to need. Don’t give up Hope.”
You can help us support more patient families like Dellesha and her daughter. Even a small donation will help patients prepare for treatment with faith and hope.
Thanks.
Written by: Bret Itskowitch
Expanding Our Mission: Removing Barriers to Treatment
Expanding Our Mission: Removing Barriers
We recently expanded our life-saving mission to put greater focus on removing barriers to treatment. For the past 29 years, the Icla da Silva Foundation has helped patients in need of a bone marrow or cord blood transplant by recruiting potential donors. In 2022, we are focused on providing emotional, logistical, and financial support for more patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.
For patients demonstrating financial need, our IclaCares program is awarding grants that are specific to the needs of transplant patients.
⇒ We are helping more patients receive their transplants.
Our Mission
The Icla da Silva Foundation saves lives of patients with diseases whose only cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant by providing emotional, logistical, and financial support to remove barriers to treatment.
A life-threatening disease, like blood cancer or sickle cell, is never expected. It presents an unthinkable challenge to the entire family. As a result, the Icla da Silva Foundation has always provided patients and their families with necessary emotional and logistical support. But for patients who demonstrate a financial need, we are putting a greater focus on enabling financial assistance.
IclaCares – Removing Barriers
Even after a matching bone marrow donor is found, there are many costs associated with a transplant that aren’t covered by insurance. For many patients, transplants and treatments are not available close to home. Through our IclaCares program, we are helping more patients afford expenses like transportation to a specialty medical center, housing, and even family meals while a child is in treatment.
We are also assisting with caretaker expenses. A caretaker is required by most transplant teams but rarely covered by insurance providers.
⇒ We are making it easier for more patients to receive their transplants.
You can help us support more patients in need. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation using the button below. Thank you!
Are you a patient scheduled to receive a bone marrow transplant? Are you in need of support? Please click our patient registration and submit a request.
Together we are helping more patients and saving more lives.
Saving Lives for 30+ Years
The Icla da Silva Foundation has been providing logistical, emotional, and financial support to patients with diseases like blood cancer and sickle cell for more than thirty years.
For patients scheduled to receive a bone marrow or cord blood transplant, we encourage you to fill out the Patient Registration Form and request an application for support.
For supporters, your donation will provide more patients with critical needs on their journey to receive a bone marrow transplant. Please consider a financial gift to support our life-saving mission.