The Acuna family

Family at Christmas

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. This meant mom and Thiago had to fly back to Memphis alone, leaving behind her husband and 7 year old son, Mateo. For the safety of all patients, St. Jude did not allow unvaccinated children/adults into their housing facility. Unable to afford rent, the family was separated, unable to reunite. That’s where the directors of the Marayah Cares Foundation stepped in to help. With personal funds, we provided housing outside of the St. Jude facility so that Mateo and his father could join mom and Thiago until the entire family could be fully vaccinated. This process took over a month to complete.

The thousands of dollars spent to reunite the family was well worth it to keep this family together while they endured the struggles of cancer treatment for their son. This experience only served to strengthen our commitment to move forward with the Marayah Cares Foundation so that we may assist other families facing the fight of their lives.

A few words from the family.

“De parte de la familia Quirós Acuña queremos agradecer de todo corazón por toda la gran ayuda económica que nos brindaron para que mi hijo mateo y yo pudiéramos tener un hospedaje en Memphis Tennessee para que después pudiéramos reunirnos con mi esposa Karla y mi otro hijo Thiago, para poder estar juntos como familia en la lucha contra el cancer de nuestro amado Thiago, que Dios los bendiga y proteja enormemente, gracias por todo el apoyo y el cariño, siempre los llevaremos en nuestros corazones y pensamientos.”

— Quirós Acuña Family

“On behalf of the Quirós Acuña family, we want to thank Marayah Cares Foundation wholeheartedly for all the great financial help they gave us so that my son Mateo and I could have a lodging in Memphis Tennessee so that later we could meet with my wife Karla and my other son Thiago, so that we can be together as a family in the fight against the cancer of our beloved Thiago, may God bless and protect Marayah Cares Foundation enormously, thank you for all the support and affection, we will always carry them in our hearts and thoughts.”

— Quirós Acuña Family

UPDATES!

Date: 12/02/22

This is our friend Thiago and his family from Costa Rica who are currently in treatment at St Jude. Thiago has been fighting pediatric cancer for over 3 years and continues his battle. Thiago’s family received a visit from Marayah Cares Foundation and they all received MCF packages. Thanks to all that support our foundation to allow us to bring smiles during these tough times