I live in Tucson, Arizona and I have a younger sister, Tere, who lives in Guadalajara, Mexico, about 1,100 miles away. About six weeks ago she was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. Since then, I have focused my energy on helping her with the cost of her medical treatment. Uterine cancer is considered high-risk in women because it has a tendency to spread more quickly than other kinds of cancer given its location in the body. That is the scenario doctors want their female patients to avoid if at all possible.

Tere's doctors at the IMSS government hospital in Guadalajara have recommended a treatment plan combining both chemical and radiation therapy to treat her cancer. They are good doctors, but it's a government hospital and they simply do not have the specialists, facilities or medical equipment needed for the advanced treatment she needs right now.

Her IMSS doctor suggested that we consider having her transferred to the private México Americano Hospital in Guadalajara, which does have a specialist in uterine cancer on staff. Plus more much more modern facilities and equipment. The challenge we're facing is raising the remaining balance of $12,500 owed of the total payment of $30,000 needed to get her admitted and treatment started at this private hospital. This is the reason for our fundraising effort. We need to raise the remaining $12,500 payment so we can have her admitted and treatment started right away. This is the challenge we're facing now.