For Lua, With Love.
This moment.
This week's Moment is not about a decision made behind the scenes, or a story from rehearsal. Story by Daena Santoyo, OYES Director.
THE AUDITION
I remember Lua auditioning for Alice By Heart. It's an ambitious show, with demanding music and choreography, and I knew it would ask a lot of her.
But I also knew Lua.
I knew how hard she worked to learn her music and choreography. I knew what a dedicated team player she was, and how much she cared about the people around her. And I knew that her bright, generous spirit brought something special to every rehearsal room she entered. I believed she would gain confidence by working with the older teens.
Lua has been one of OYES’ kids since she was 8 years old. And when you spend enough time looking a little closer at a child — to see all that they're capable of becoming — you begin to believe in them sometimes more than they even believe in themselves.
Right now, the one who has to believe in Lua the most is Aubrie. Lua's mama.
AN UNEXPECTED TURN
A few weeks ago, we learned that 13-year-old Lua had been diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
Some of you may know that Lua has already survived an extraordinary medical journey. Kidney failure at age two, a rare autoimmune disease, and a kidney transplant at age four.
Now, Lua is fighting for her life. Again.
She's undergoing intensive chemotherapy at UCLA, complicated by her previous medical conditions and a serious fungal infection. Her treatment will take many months, and much of that time will be spent in the hospital.
I'm thinking about Lua a lot these days.
And I think about Aubrie.
AUBRIE HAS A NEW FULL-TIME JOB
Before Lua's diagnosis, Aubrie worked three jobs, six days a week, to support her two daughters.
Today, she has one job that requires everything she has.
Lua's complicated medical condition means months of intensive treatment, constant care, and difficult decisions. And while Aubrie navigates all of this, she still has another daughter to care for, a household to maintain, and bills to pay.
In a recent message, Aubrie described what her days are like:
“I don't know how to share what this is. No words can aptly describe it. I am not sitting bedside holding her hand. Though I do that every chance I get. It is an endless revolving door of people, every 20 minutes at least. And endless needs to tend to Lua.”
Aubrie is working harder than ever, but the work she's doing now doesn't come with a paycheck.
And the financial responsibilities of raising two daughters don't stop because one of them is seriously ill.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The stress of unpaid bills, the possibility of losing their home, and the uncertainty of how to make ends meet can turn an already overwhelming situation into a financial crisis. And that stress doesn't just affect Aubrie. It affects the stability and peace of mind of the entire family.
When Lua is finally ready to come home, she needs more than a roof over her head. She needs the comfort of familiar surroundings, the security of knowing her family is okay, and a home where she can focus on recovering.
We can help protect that stability.
WE CAN HELP
I'm inviting our OYES families, alumni, friends, and community supporters to help raise an additional $2,500 by November 25 for Lua and her family.
Every donation goes directly to Lua's GoFundMe campaign to help cover essential living expenses, medical-related costs, and lost income during Lua's treatment.
If you can give today, please do. Every contribution, large or small, will help.
Let's help make sure that when Lua is ready to come home, she has a home to come home to.
SUPPORT LUA & HER FAMILY — DONATE HERE
A LITTLE GOOD NEWS TO CELEBRATE
Just this week, Aubrie shared some wonderful news.
“I have a wonderful win to share... Today was the first day Lua got out of bed in weeks!
I pushed her in her wheelchair OUTSIDE through the UCLA campus for TWO hours!!
And, she finally ate a full plate of food today too, after zero intake for 10 days!
It's a massive achievement... and well-timed before she starts her second round of chemo tomorrow... and we go through it all again.”
If you can't contribute right now, would you consider making a pledge to support Lua and her family in the coming year?
Their needs won't disappear when this campaign ends.
Helping Aubrie maintain a stable home for her daughters will be just as important in the months ahead.
If you'd like to pledge a gift for the months ahead, please connect directly with Aubrie at aubriewoods-at-gmail
