Campaign Story

Dear Friends,

Exactly ten years ago, in May 2013, my dear friends launched my first crowd-fundraising campaign. I was 29 years old and had just been diagnosed wih Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I underwent chemotherapy, full-body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. I spent 75 days in the hospital and many more months recuperating at home. Happily, my community really came through for me. My fundraising campaign was a huge success, and the monies raised paid for my medical bills and all my living expenses while I couldn’t work. I also used some of the funds for fertility treatment; I tried to freeze my eggs after my first round of chemotherapy, but it didn’t work–chemo had already put me into chemical menopause. Alongside the trauma of my cancer, I felt the crushing loss of my fertility, and wondered how I would ever have a family. Then and there having a family became my life’s goal, and that was my driving force as I fought for a second chance at life.

My partner Andrew was there with me through thick and thin. I was in the hospital for 75 nights, and he slept overnight with me for 74 (the only night he missed was for his sister’s wedding). Two years after my treatment we got married, and in 2019 our dream came true–I gave birth to our daughter Mariella. We used a donor egg to conceive her, and I am endlessly grateful to our donor, to our community that supported us, and for the technology that made it all possible. Mariella means “wished-for child,” and we truly cherish every moment with her.

Mariella is absolutely perfect, and now we would like to give her a sibling. She has asked for one herself, and she even prays to God for a baby sibling. I pray too…the desire I have for a second child is just as strong as it was for Mariella. We tried another round of IVF with a donor egg in 2021, but this time it did not work.

Ten years later, I am struck by how far I, and we as a family, have come. I celebrated my 30th birthday in the hospital, and in just a short time from now, on June 1, 2023, I will spend my 40th birthday with the family that I had wished for. But the traumas of my leukemia endure. All these years later I am still suffering the chemical repercussions of my treatment, and my struggle with infertility continues. Andrew and I both work hard to provide for Mariella; I am a Pilates Instructor, and he an NYPD Detective. We have already paid for two rounds of IVF, and unfortunately cannot afford to do another. We are wishing for another opportunity to do IVF with a donor egg, and if we could raise $20,000, this would pay for all donor fees as well as for my medications, both of which are not covered by insurance.

I have a wonderful new doctor who has my utmost confidence, and the technology since my last round of IVF, including the testing of embryos, is much improved. I feel strongly that my next attempt will be much more viable than the last round.

And so we humbly ask, if you are able and willing to give, to please help our family’s dreams become a reality. I believe firmly that whatever is meant to be will be, but I also believe in asking for help. We cannot take on all of our struggles alone, as I have learned those ten years ago. Many thanks for your love and support.

Much Love,

Julia, Andrew and Mariella