Our Story

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Supporters,

My name is Tony Seruga, and today, I am reaching out with a heavy heart and an unwavering spirit to ask for your support for my wife of 23 years, Yolanda Seruga, whose resilience in the face of stage 4 colon cancer has been nothing short of heroic.

Yolanda, a beacon of health and an inspiration as a dedicated high school English teacher, found her life taking a sharp and unexpected turn two years ago. A routine check with her gastroenterologist led to the discovery of a polyp, which, after insistence from her doctor, resulted in her first colon surgery. This was the beginning of a battle with a disease that would test our family’s strength and unity.

The initial victory was short-lived when the cancer returned aggressively, or as doctors grimly termed it, "turbo cancer," spreading to her liver and manifesting as two formidable tumors. Her cancer was now at stage 4, and the prognosis was daunting. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, we found a glimmer of hope through world-renowned oncologists who believed in fighting for the best possible outcome.

The journey has been fraught with challenges; from anaphylactic reactions to chemotherapy that left Yolanda bedridden, to a grueling regimen that, thankfully, reduced the tumors significantly. The journey included cutting-edge procedures, multiple scans, and a 10+ hour surgery that demanded every ounce of Yolanda's strength and left her facing life-threatening complications such as blood clots, heart issues and kidney failure.

Through the skilled hands of her medical team and the prayers and support of loved ones, Yolanda emerged from surgery cancer-free. Yet the aftermath, including acute afib and a terrifying home emergency that required rapid blood transfusion and fluid removal, reminded us that this battle was far from over.

Our savings, once a safety net, have been totally exhausted by medical, travel and living expenses. Our credit lines, a temporary bridge, now threaten to collapse under high interest rates that have turned manageable debt into an unyielding burden as our credit lines were reduced over two dozen times triggering more reductions and higher interest rates. And just as Yolanda was reclaiming her life, the specter of cancer has resurfaced, detected early by a DNA liquid biopsy.

How You Can Help

We are facing an immense financial strain that includes medical bills, attorney fees, mortgage, and car payments, which we cannot meet alone. We are reaching out to ask for your generosity to help Yolanda continue her treatment without the added stress of financial ruin.

Your donations will directly fund:

Ongoing chemotherapy and associated medical expenses

Necessary medications to manage side effects and complications

Living expenses during a time when work is impossible

Legal and financial services to navigate debt resolution

We also seek your prayers and positive thoughts, which have been a cornerstone of our strength. Yolanda has been a warrior, a true survivor who has defied the odds with a tenacity that is nothing short of miraculous. We want to continue the fight, and with your help, we can.

In Conclusion

The love and dedication that Yolanda has poured into her students and our family now need to be returned to her tenfold. Every donation, no matter the size, is a beacon of hope in our current storm. Help us keep fighting. Help us keep hoping. Help us support the woman who has supported so many throughout her life. Who brings happiness to everyone she meets.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any contribution you can make. Please share our story with your networks, as every share expands our circle of support.

With gratitude,

Tony Seruga