Mariana's Story
We are so honored and excited to introduce you to our November featured child, Mariana Torres-Garcia. Mariana is a beautiful and adorable 2 year old little girl who was born on 09/11/13. She was born a happy and healthy baby girl. She was perfect. Mariana's parents had no idea that there was anything wrong with their beautiful baby girl until one day Mom Antranette noticed there was a glow in her daughters eye in some photographs she had taken of her when she was around 7 months old. Mom states that the glow began to become noticeable when the light would hit her eye a certain way and her pupil always seemed to appear dilated. Mom stated that Mariana's eye had the appearance much like a cat's eye.

Mariana's parents became concerned and immediately took their baby girl to see their pediatrician, however when they tried to explain the unusual discoloration in their daughters eye, their doctor couldn't determine the cause. After much frustration to get their daughter's doctor to listen and understand, Mariana was given over to another pediatrician's care after theirs quit and moved to Africa. Their new pediatrician turned off the light, shined the flashlight and in her eyes and knew that something was wrong.

The next day on June 24, 2015. Mariana's parents took her to the eye doctor and she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. At that time mom Antranette stated that she didn't understand what Retinoblastoma was. On June 25, 2015, Mariana was taken to Minneapolis Children Eye Clinic to see specialist Dr. Jill Anderson where she confirmed it was eye cancer. Mom Antranette remembers that was the moment that her life changed. She recalls that she couldn't breathe and her mind went blank. All she remembers is waking up in the hospital bed after passing out from the shocking news. Mom stated that she had no time to let this devastating news sink it that her daughter was blind in her left eye and had cancer.

June 26, 2015, Mariana immediately begin chemotherapy treatments. The doctor's advised Mariana's parents to remove her eye because the tumor was so huge however, Mom needed to try chemotherapy first in the hopes of saving her daughter's eye and killing the cancer within.

Mariana was responding to the chemotherapy fairly well, however due to her eye having so much damage and she also having been diagnosed with glaucoma, she was in a tremendous amount of pain all the time.

On Monday Oct 19, 2015, Mariana underwent surgery to have her eye removed. Mom says that Mariana gave it a great fight against this terrible and awful eye cancer for as long as she could, but surgery was necessary. Mom stated it was a very difficult decision that she and her husband were faced to make, but they feel it was the right decision. Since having surgery Mariana is doing great and recovering well.

Part of her tumor will be sent to Canada to be evaluated to see if she will have other potential risks. The family would sincerely appreciate your continued prayers for their precious daughter as she continues her journey.

Mariana parents are trusting in the Lord to bring their precious daughter back to full health and strength speedily and remove all the pain and fear that this aggressive illness has caused. They know God has the final say.

In the words of Mariana's mother Antranette; She is amazing! She gives me so much strength and happiness. She has helped me through all of this even though it was happening to her. To know she isn't in any pain makes me thank the Lord even more. She has begun her new journey in life. I know she will be something great. She is a true inspiration to me.

The family has set up a page for donations. Please consider helping Mariana and her family financially. Mom will need to be out of work to care for Mariana after having surgery and any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Follow links to Mariana's Facebook page and donation page below:

Help Mariana Fight Retinoblastoma
https://www.facebook.com/helpmarianafight

Website
https://www.gofundme.com/helpmarianafight

Feel free to email Mariana's parents at: mailto:dimples111210@yahoo.com

Below is the address if you would like to write Mariana, send a card or a gift: 5833 73rd Ave n Brooklyn park MN 55429 apt 122.