An update and letter from Christina, May 9,
2007
Dear Friends,
Today I am very
happy to report to you that your overwhelming
love and undying faith have enabled a miracle
to occur. Three short months ago my doctors
told me that there wasn't anything they could
do for me and that I was to begin preparing for
my demise at the age of 23. However, because of
your constant prayers and support I was given
the opportunity to spend six weeks at a Health
Institute in West Palm Beach, Fl. I am pleased
to announce that according to all blood tests I
have reached a state of complete remission from
stage 4 cancer. I am even more pleased to
announce that apart from saving me you helped
to save our baby girl!! Our baby, Katarina, is
strong, healthy and expected to be born in the
month of May.
I do not have words to express my gratitude and
appreciation for all that you have done for
both me and my husband. This ordeal tested our
faith and our commitment to each other in every
way possible. There were times when both he and
I felt as though we were holding the weight of
the world on our shoulders. The most difficult
aspect of this painful experience, apart from
trying to keep the baby safe, was watching the
emotional turmoil that was enveloping the heart
and mind of my husband. Fortunately, all of
this changed for us the day we began to receive
such overwhelming responses from all of you. It
was you who gave us the strength and courage to
continue fighting this and it was you who
enabled me to seek alternative treatment. It is
only by your prayers, emotional support and
financial support that I am sitting here
writing you this letter today and it is because
of you that my husband and I are eagerly
looking forward to the birth of our first
child.
Honestly, you have done more for me than you
will ever know. You did more than just save my
material body, you opened my heart and you
breathed new life into my soul. My trust in all
people has been renewed while my faith in God
has been made ever stronger. You did the same
for Bala and I am able to see a light in his
eyes that had begun to fade just a few months
ago. I thank you with every beat of my heart.
It is said that it takes a community to raise a
child, in this case, it took a community to
save a child and you are as much her family as
we are. She will know what you did for her and
for her parents. She will come to love, respect
and admire all of you for what you have done.
She will begin her life with more love and
devotion than any other child because she has
felt your love for her all along. There are no
words to express my personal gratitude to all
of you. I can tell you only that my heart is
overflowing with appreciation and love for you
and I promise you that I will take this second
chance that you have given me and use it to
serve those in need and to serve God. May God
bless you and your
families.
Your servant,
Christina Torres
February 12, 2007
My daughter, Prtha, called me one night last
week, in tears for her friends, Christina and
Bala. Christina and Bala are a young married
couple living in Gainesville, Florida. It was
recently discovered during a prenatal exam that
the 23-year-old Christina, has Stage 4 ovarian
cancer. She is 5 months pregnant. When given
the choice between the chemotherapy and
radiation that could possibly save her life,
but would kill her unborn child, Christina
decided against treatment. They are hoping she
will live at least two more months so the child
can be in utero for 7 months.
Her husband, Bala, has quit his graduate
studies but is still forced to work a full-time
job in order to pay for their housing and
living expenses. Kindred Spirits is
participating in a collection to raise funds so
Bala can stay at home the last few months of
Christina's life caring for her and preparing
for the birth of their child.
Many of you have already graciously and
generously donated to this cause. If you have
not and would like to do so, you can drop it
off or mail it to the store. All money goes
directly to them for immediate use.
While thanking a kindred spirit for donating,
she remarked, "It takes a village to raise a
child". Reflexively I thought of the unborn
baby. But then I contemplated, which is the
child that will be raised by these acts of
kindness - the baby? Christina? The father?
Everyone whose heart goes out in compassion? Do
we not all progress to a higher place when, out
of compassion, we lend a helping hand? Perhaps
it is a child who RAISES a village.
Arci