While at St. Jude, we met a family of 4 from Costa Rica. At the age of 2, their son, Thiago was diagnosed with cancer. They were told there was medically nothing that could be done for him in Costa Rica. Thankfully, St. Jude offered to treat Thiago and they flew the family from Costa Rica to Memphis. After years of treatment, they believed the cancerous tumor was gone, and flew back to Costa Rica. In late 2021, Thiago’s parents were told the tumor had returned and additional treatment at St. Jude was needed. With the Corona pandemic still lingering, Costa Rica did not offer vaccinations to children….

The Foundation prepares and sends care packages to children who are battling childhood cancer. We make an effort to learn about each child and their interests so that packages sent are meaningful to them and hopefully bring them some joy.  The packages are filled with self-care items as well as some special items specific to each child.  Angelina is a teenager we met during our stay in Memphis at St. Jude.  Angelina was diagnosed with the same type of cancer as Marayah, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.  Angelina is currently in remission after enduring a long year and half of chemo and radiation and fought alongside our Baby girl, Marayah.  She is the first recipient of a Marayah Cares Package.

Marayah’s parents decided to get away for the holidays and in deciding on what they were going to do, some great friends asked them to join them on a trip to the Philippines. This is their story about their adventure and a little 9-year-old cancer patient.

“Without even questioning the trip we said “Yes!”  The island and the people here are beautiful but they also have a lot of poverty.  Although the USA isn’t perfect, we are lucky and blessed to live in such a great country.  As part of our trip, we wanted to share the goals of the Marayah Cares Foundation.  We asked our friends, the Bonas, who have family in the Philippines, to help us find a family who was going through the battle of childhood cancer….

This is Camilla. She’s fighting relapse Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma. Marayah Cares Foundation wanted to help her and her family, so we reached out and saw her wish list via social media. This beautiful warrior wished for a new purple walker.

Marayah Cares Foundation was able to provide her with her walker and a toddler travel desk from her wish list.

Thank you and just wanted to let y’all know how your support is being utilized.

Marayah Cares Foundation is a proud partner with the Elk Grove Animal Shelter.  By sponsoring numerous pet adoptions, we fulfill one of our goals important to Marayah. She had a strong love for all animals, particularly dogs.   Through financial assistance and volunteer work, we will continue to bring families and rescued pets together as was Marayah’s wish.