My name is Sandra Ramirez and I'm a Houston mom, caring for my kids,  as I prepare for my transplant to cure my leukemia.
I'm a single mother of four and was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia six months ago. I'm scheduled for a bone marrow transplant at the end of this month, August, 2017. Medicaid is covering my medical expenses, but I need help to pay for childcare during my transplant, for back-to-school items for my children, and to help pay for rent as we stay with my brother.

At the beginning of my chemotherapy treatments at MD Anderson, I was immediately told that I could no longer work. My older adult daughter Maria was able to help take care of me and help with my three younger children, Brianna - age 15, Sandra - age 10, and Emmanuel - age 9.

I was told that I would have to endure intense chemotherapy and that my sole cure was a bone marrow transplant. I learned that a brother or sister with the same parents has only a 25% chance of being a good match, but 7 out of 10 patients do not have a suitable donor in the family.

As the intensity and frequency of chemo continued I became weak, but was tolerating the medicine. Then, a month ago, my older daughter gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, Mariah.  With great joy, I became a grandmother, but lost my daughter as my caregiver.  

Now, my chemotherapy treatments at MD Anderson are almost daily. I've had to get my family on Medicaid and, along with my children, moved in with my younger brother, Junior.  He is our sole financial provider.  

Miraculously, my older brother Eustaquio was identified as a good bone marrow match and he has lovingly agreed to be my bone marrow donor.

Getting a bone marrow transplant requires that I become an in-hospital patient for about 90 consecuitve days. While Junior has a job that can support our family, he will not be paid when he misses work to care for me or my children.  

If I can raise $2000, I'll be able to cover some of the costs of childcare - before and after school, back-to-school clothes for my kids, and help my brother pay for our groceries and toiletries and higher electric bills.

I am scheduled to go into the hospital on August 23 for three months. After, I'll have to be vigilant to avoid exposure to infections, but I have an excellent chance for full recovery. 

Please help me now, so that I can focus on spending time with my children while I deal with the side effects of my chemo, and prepare myself, physically and emotionally, for my lifesaving transplant.