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.  We were connected with a family of a 9-year-old boy named John Rheven.  John was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in April of 2021.  Due to the cancer, doctors had to amputate his leg from his hip down.  Our hopes were to give him a Marayah Cares package and maybe give the family means to enjoy the holidays.

On the day we were to meet with John and his mother, we met with a school district employee that was, by her own generosity, helping the family coordinate John’s medical needs since the only medical care was on another island.  We wanted to know how far along John was in his cancer treatment and what remained ahead.  We were shocked to hear that John has not even received one session of chemotherapy, meaning no cancer treatment whatsoever. The family was given a medical bill, which indicated the costs of the needed chemotherapy. However, treatment could not be started without payment first.  This family that survives on under 10 dollars a day is being told they need to come up with thousands of dollars to just start treatment.  We asked about government assistance or other possible resources and were told since the government and community assisted in paying for the amputation of his leg, John is no longer eligible for any other type of aid.

The cancer has now spread to his lungs, and he is in Stage 4.  The same categorization Marayah had when she was diagnosed.  Although we are realistic and know John has a long, tough journey ahead of him, he at the very least deserves the opportunity to try and fight and live with hope!”

We have decided that, as a Foundation, we will find a way to pay for John to start chemotherapy and his fight against cancer.  We are asking that hopefully 12 to 15 families, individuals, groups, organizations, or businesses might join us in funding John’s chemotherapy.  Nancy and I, and at least two other families, have pledged to donate/sponsor $100 a month for the year of 2023 to go towards John Rhaven’s fight against childhood cancer.  We are hoping at least 12 others can do the same and believe it or not, this it will cover most of his costs.  Every penny will go directly toward medical bills and receipts of payment and treatment will be provided.  If you want to help us give this 9 year old boy a fighting chance, please click the ‘Donate’ button now and you can specify that 100% of your contribution will go directly to pay for John’s treatment.

Thank you for your generosity and compassion and check back on our website for updates on John’s progress.

UPDATE: August 2024 
– From the Rheven Family

Thank you for your support and caring!

First of all, I want to greet you all a blessed morning, afternoon, evening! I don’t know how to express what im feeling right now but, thank you for all the good things you did for our family. I don’t know how to addressed you all because I just can’t call you a friends but a family. I am writing this letter to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable support you provided to us during our recent painful journey with cancer. I am truly grateful for all of you guys. Your generosity and compassion have made an immense difference during this challenging time.

The help you give us were not just a practical help but also source of emotional comfort. I am very thankful as a family of the victims knowing that there are still people like you guys who cares a lot and provides support that gives hope and strength to those in need.

Thank you all, your efforts are deeply appreciated and have had a significant positive impact on our lives. Once again, thank you!