💜 Help Maria Fight Ewing Sarcoma
Maria Kamenaki is a courageous 13-year-old girl from Chania, Crete, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in October 2023. Ewing Sarcoma is a rare and aggressive bone cancer that primarily affects children and young adults.
Since her diagnosis, Maria has bravely endured:
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14 rounds of chemotherapy in Crete
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Two surgeries in Athens
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Radiation therapy
After this intense year of treatment, her cancer was in remission for 9 months. But during a routine scan in May 2025, a new tumor was discovered in the original site. Maria underwent another surgery in Athens to remove it. Unfortunately, recurrent Ewing Sarcoma is especially aggressive and very difficult to treat in Greece.
Maria’s parents, Michalis and Kiki, made the courageous decision to seek the very best care available—and turned to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, globally renowned for its expertise in treating Ewing Sarcoma.
🇬🇷 A Community That Made the Impossible Possible
Because treatment at MD Anderson is not covered by Greece’s national health insurance, the family had to raise the necessary funds independently. The people of Crete responded with overwhelming generosity, raising over €600,000—an incredible show of love and support.
This amount is dedicated solely to cover Maria’s medical expenses.
💔 A New Challenge: Cancer Has Spread
On her most recent scan, Maria’s doctors discovered that the cancer has metastasized to her lungs. Thankfully, a specialized team of oncologists has a new treatment plan: a 9-month clinical trial that combines chemotherapy with a promising new drug showing up to a 70% response rate.
Maria is an excellent candidate. She is strong, positive, and ready to fight.
🏠 Why We Need Your Help Now
Maria and her family are working closely with Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the Philoptochos Society of Houston. Because chemotherapy significantly suppresses her immune system, it’s critical that she has her own private, sterile living space during treatment.
They have secured a furnished apartment near MD Anderson, where they will stay for the full 9-month treatment cycle. Maria will receive chemotherapy daily for 5 days, followed by 16 days of rest—repeating this cycle 12 times, all on an outpatient basis.
The cost of the apartment is $3,810 per month, and housing is not covered by the medical funds raised in Crete.
💪 Call for Action – Let’s Lighten the Load
Maria is a vibrant, confident girl who dreams of returning home to Chania—to her friends and a life beyond cancer.
Now, it’s our turn to come together and support her family during this incredibly difficult journey.
We're actively looking for donors who can sponsor a full month of rent, but every donation matters—no matter the size. Every gift brings Maria one step closer to healing and home.
💻 How to Donate to help Maria
Online Donations:
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Enter your donation amount
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Select Benevolent Fund from the dropdown
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In the Memo, write: Maria Kamenaki
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Enter your email address
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Click Continue
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Enter your payment details
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Click Give to complete
By Check:
Make checks payable to: AGOC Benevolent Fund
Memo: Maria Kamenaki
Mail to:
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
3511 Yoakum Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
🙏 Be Part of Maria’s Journey
With your prayers and support, we can give Maria the best chance at recovery and a joyful return home.
Donate today. Help her fight. Help her heal. Help her go home.
#ΓιατηΜαρια #ForMaria #EwingSarcomaAwareness
Maria's Story
Some of Maria's Favorite Things
