Maya: Beating the Odds Mercy Medical Angels

Maya was only 5 months old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma.The doctors managed to get the cancer into remission. But just before her second birthday, she suffered a relapse. Since then, she’s been in and out of aggressive treatment for neuroblastoma. Her risk for another relapse or developing a secondary cancer is very high, due to all the radiation treatments. Because of this risk, she has to travel to New York for continued monitoring and treatment.

“Sometimes we had to travel as often as every two weeks, or monthly,” said Amber, who is Maya’s mother. “We have been traveling for nearly ten years. Even though she only needs to go a few times a year now, it has become extremely difficult for us to pay for travel.”

Aside from being in and out of the hospital, Maya’s family doesn’t have the resources to pay for repeated flights to New York. Worse, Maya and her family lives in California – almost 2,500 miles away from the treatment center. But the long-distance travel to treatment is saving her life, and preventing further problems.

Maya’s life was hanging in the balance. The odds were difficult enough without the added burden of traveling to treatment. Her family was running out of resources – and worse, running out of time.

That’s when Mercy Medical Angels and Hogan Foundation stepped in. Mercy Medical Angels arranged travel from Maya’s home in California to New York, while Hogan Foundation paid for the tickets.

“They really saved money we didn’t have,” said Amber. “Providing us with flights covered the financial costs of transportation to Maya’s cancer treatment.” She adds, “We are so appreciative.”

Now, Maya is 12 years old and doing much better. She will need help getting to her treatments for neuroblastoma in the future. Mercy Medical Angels and Hogan Foundation will continue to help her get there.

Amber has a message to potential donors: “If someone asked me whether they should give to Mercy Medical Angels, I would tell them they absolutely should!” She adds, “I would tell our story and explain how we wouldn’t be able to continue treatment without them.”

“They’re an amazing organization… what a special group of angels!”