Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Gloria Acevedo

Gloria Acevedo is a 36 year old single mother of two daughters (age 12 and 16) who was diagnosed with colon cancer only after doctors performed exploratory surgery, believing the cause of her symptoms were inflamed appendicitis revealed in a CT scan.  She had been experiencing stomach issues and abdominal pain for several months prior.Her doctor did perform an FOB testing, which revealed some microscopic blood in her stool just before she began having the acute pain that they believed related to the appendix, but still didn't feel a colonoscopy was appropriate because of her age and medical history . . .

She was diagnosed October 2012, and will continue to have chemotherapy treatment through November, 2013.  When Gloria sent this photo to us, she attached this note:

"Anything will help.  Bless your heart and those who have the kindness to donate.This is me and my lovely girls.  They are my motor.  Sorry I don't look " ill"...many people give me that comment, to which I thank God."

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Kelly Hay

On October 16, 2012, Kelly Hay began experiencing abdominal pain, and for the following two days, the pain grew so intense that she knew she needed to see a doctor.  Within days, she was in surgery to resection  her colon and remove her left ovary, all symptomatic of stage 4 colon cancer.  Further tests revealed more lesions in her liver.

Before her diagnosis, Kelly had found her true purpose as a substance abuse counselor, having earned her PhD in clinical psychology.  As a single career woman, she is very proud to say that she owns her own home, and having to rely on the assistance of others has been difficult.  Kelly would like to thank the generous people who support Meredith’s Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation for helping her with living expenses as she recuperates from her most recent surgery in April, 2013, and strives to return to work full time in the next few weeks.