A warrior until the end! At 23 years old, Vanessa Vialva was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that covered the outside surface of the thymus called thymoma cancer. Born as a US citizen and then migrated at the age of 5 to Trinidad based on circumstances, Vanessa was a fighting spirit. Her will to live for her children and family is what allowed us to enjoy more time and moments with her following her departure on earth at age 25 on 18th November 2020.

As a teenager, she assumed the role of being a primary caretaker for her now-departed grandmother. It came as no surprise that her nurturing role as a mother to her daughter, Isabella (seven years ), and son, Ashad (one year and eight months) was already embedded within.

While our hearts still grieve for our beloved, Vanessa, we remember her as the selfless mother who learned about her cancer the same week she had confirmation about her pregnancy. The option to terminate the pregnancy presented itself for the commencement of treatment to better her chances of survival, however, she graciously sacrificed her health to carry her son full term despite it being a high-risk pregnancy.

Following the birth of her baby boy, her cancer spread aggressively resulting in her becoming paralyzed for the remainder of her life.

Vanessa grew up with her mom Vidya, a single parent who struggled with the financial strain of balancing Vanessa’s medical bills, raising her granddaughter, and trying to provide necessities for herself. Covid-19 also made things even more difficult as time went on trying to navigate the health care systems with two grandkids and her now paralyzed daughter.

The last 6 weeks of Vanessa’s life were spent in the hospital, she was no longer able to breathe on her own. Her pain grew so much, not even the strongest dose of morphine could relieve her. Due to fluid accumulation in her lungs, doctors made a decision to break her rib so that the fluid could be drained through an inserted tube. It was heart-breaking for her to accept the fact that she could not give her kids a hug, not even to say goodbye one last time.

Through your donations, her mother will be able to pay off debts incurred while Vanessa underwent treatment. Additionally, Vanessa's children will be able to have money for school supplies and basic requirements such as food and shelter. If funds permit, they will also be able to unwrap a toy this being their first Christmas without their mom. All children look forward to this moment and hopefully, they will be given the opportunity.

Whatever little contributed, be it now or in the future will mean the world to her mother who has been emotionally drained as well as financially burdened wondering where she will source funds to repay loans whilst ensuring they have food on their table, maintaining household bills and funding for her grandkids tuition, one of Vanessa's wishes.

The loving mom who enjoyed cooking with her kids, we will remember her as the free-spirited social butterfly, someone who could walk into a room and make friends with people she met for the first time. We will remember her as a loving daughter, someone who showed up in less than no time whenever she heard her mom was not feeling well. We will remember her as our relative and friend, someone to share a laugh and make memories with who in her last days requested having ribbons made and given to attendees for distribution at her send-off ceremony to help raise awareness.

More importantly, we will remember Vanessa by the two precious gifts she gave to us, her children Isabella and Ashad, who will primarily benefit from your gracious donations. Thank you to the hundreds of people who knew her personally or heard about her condition. No matter what religious belief, they offered her name in prayer in hope that she would be healed. Thank you to all of you here who may not be able to financially contribute but offer a prayer in hopes that her soul finds peace. May that higher power continue to bless you all.

On behalf of her mom Vidya, we express our immeasurable gratitude.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!