It is with a heavy heart that we share a new chapter in our daughter Sasha’s battle with cancer—a chapter we hoped never to face. The cancer has returned, spreading to her skull and pressing against her brain. In an instant, fear, uncertainty, and helplessness returned to our lives, and we felt lost. Yet even in this moment of darkness, Sasha’s courage shines brighter than any fear.
Once again, we are preparing to leave home to seek life-saving treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Sasha will undergo brain surgery, followed by radiation and additional chemotherapy. Each procedure, each infusion, is a step into the unknown—a fight against a disease that has already tested her strength beyond what any child should endure. Throughout this journey, countless friends, family, and strangers have asked how they can help. In response, we have established a fund to help ease the immense financial burden of Sasha’s treatment. Those who wish to bring her joy may mark their donations as “gift,” allowing her to choose something from you—a tangible reminder that people believe in her fight.
But Sasha’s journey has also brought miracles in unexpected forms. Recently, she began an experimental immunotherapy, never before used in the United States for Ewing’s sarcoma. It had only been tested in a tiny European cohort of three children, all of whom achieved a complete response and remain cancer-free. If this therapy proves effective for Sasha, her institution will collaborate with the drug manufacturer to open a clinical trial in the U.S., potentially giving other children in desperate need a chance at survival.
This therapy is far from easy. In truth, it is one of the most grueling paths any child could walk. The receptor it targets is found not only on the cancer but also throughout the nerves of the body. During a ten-hour infusion each day for five days, every nerve can flare, producing unimaginable pain. One child who previously received the therapy described it as feeling like all his teeth exploded simultaneously. Knowing this, we sat with Sasha and offered her a choice: she could refuse further treatment, opting for comfort instead. After more than three years of relentless therapy, we knew she had endured more than most could imagine.
But Sasha’s answer was unwavering. “I don’t care about the pain. If this can maybe help, please let me try,” she said, her tiny body and spirit filled with more bravery than many adults could summon.
Day one of the therapy brought tears and pain beyond description. Sasha whispered, “I have never felt pain like this, Mommy,” and to her doctor, “I can’t believe people have to feel this pain to live.”
Every moment was a reminder of the cruelty of cancer, and the fierce determination of a child who refuses to surrender. Yet by day two, she rested more comfortably—no infusion pain, no cancer pain—allowing her a fleeting but precious relief amid the storm.
To increase her chances, two chemotherapies identified through her susceptibility profile were added to the regimen. With this combined approach, we move forward anchored in faith, hope, and the unwavering belief that Sasha’s fight is not in vain. Each procedure, each day of treatment, is a testament to her strength and to the dedication of the incredible medical team supporting her.
The doctors, nurses, and researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have gone above and beyond, offering care and compassion that extend beyond medicine. Their work ensures that children like Sasha are not left without options, that their lives are given the chance to continue even in the face of overwhelming odds. Their brilliance and dedication are miracles in themselves.
Sasha’s journey is a testament to courage, hope, and the power of the human spirit. She faces a path that is cruel and exhausting, yet she meets it with bravery and determination that humbles everyone around her. Every day, every infusion, every procedure is a step toward survival—a step fueled by the love and support of family, friends, and a community that refuses to turn away.
Here we go, baby girl. Another day, another fight. Another chance at life. Your bravery inspires us, moves us, and reminds us all that even in the darkest moments, hope can shine, and miracles—sometimes small, sometimes extraordinary—can still arrive.
We ask that you continue to stand with us, to offer love, prayers, and support, and to believe alongside Sasha that the road ahead, though difficult, can bring her closer to the life she deserves. Every moment, every act of hope, every hand extended makes a difference.
Sasha, our brave girl, we are with you—always.