Finish the Fight: 2009

About Sarah

Sarah was born in the Philippines and moved to Hawaii at age 8. She never had a very fortunate life being brought up in a third world country. Moving to the United States was her only hope for a brighter future, even though she was being raised by a single parent, with no support from her father.

In June 2007, Sarah was diagnosed with Leukemia, a disease more prominent on her father's side of the family. After a year of chemotherapy, struggle and pain, we hoped for a good outcome. However, in 2008, the doctors found that the Leukemia returned, and decided that Sarah should go through another chemotherapy treatment, along with a bone marrow transplant.

After many months of searching for a "perfect match", we were unsuccessful being that Sarah has a rare blood type, and because of the overall difficulty of finding a match. Instead, the doctors resorted to using the "half match" bone marrow from her sister Jessica, with hopes that would be enough.

In May 2009, Sarah went to the doctor for a check up only to discover that the Leukemia cells have returned again. Her only hope is that the bone marrow from her sister continues to grow, and a possible chemotherapy treatment once again...

Sarah is a wonderful teenager. She has always been there for her family and her friends. As her cousin, I have only watched from the sidelines being completely helpless because all I could do is wait.

I'm tired of waiting without knowing if there is going to be a successful outcome, so I am taking a stand and I want to help Sarah as much as I can, and I hope you decide to help me.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sarah gave a Eulogy at our grandaunt's funeral in early May. She passed away due to Pancreatic Cancer after more than a year long battle with the illness. Cancer has become a big scare in our family now because we have seen how much pain and sorrow it brings to everyone around us.

Sarah spoke about "finishing the fight" [for the both of us] and I said in my mind, I want to help Sarah finish the fight as well. So all of us together, can help Sarah battle cancer.