Rose-Flore' Testimonial

As you read this letter, my daughter is undergoing treatment at the Children’s. It pains me to think that Maritsa and I will once again be spending the Holidays going back and forth between the hospital and home. We have no family in Quebec, and due to Maritsa’s illness, we can afford little for ourselves.

For over a year, I went from clinic to clinic to understand why my daughter had such frequent fevers and nausea. They told me it was a viral problem each time.

Then, one day, my daughter's feet were so swollen she couldn’t walk. She was suffering. I took her to the Children’s, where the ER doctor told me: “A doctor in the oncology department would like to speak with you.” Maritsa has leukemia. The news came as a shock.

They told us Maritsa would need one of her parents to be with her full-time. I knew right away I’d have to cut back where I could. I also had to stop working since Maritsa has a weak immune system, and can no longer attend school. And there were new expenses to consider.

Thankfully, I had the incredible support of Social Services at the Children’s. Thanks to the Tiny Tim Fund, I receive financial aid to help with groceries when I am with Maritsa at the hospital, which means I can cook in the kitchenette on Maritsa’s hospital floor.

If all goes well, the worst will be behind us by December next year.

Until then, thank you for giving to the Children’s and for giving families like mine the strength to continue.

Rose-Flore, Maritsa's mother