Community rallies to help mom

By JENNY LEE ALLEN

MANATEE COUNTY -- Since news of Juliana Mateo's plight surfaced in the media this week, dozens of people have stepped forward to help.

The 28-year-old mother needs kidney dialysis treatments to stay alive. But she is not eligible for health insurance or government funding because she is an illegal immigrant. A former farmworker, she has no income.

By Friday, about 50 people had called to offer help, said Adriana Cerrillo, a student at the University of South Florida who is assisting Mateo.

"It makes you believe and have faith in the world," Cerrillo said.

Bradenton resident Sue McCarty was one of the people who picked up the phone. McCarty said her son-in-law died in July from cancer, leaving behind her daughter and three children who are the same age as Mateo's children.

"Money will cure Juliana, and money wouldn't cure our son-in-law. That's why I was moved to help her," McCarty said. "If everybody would send a little bit, this woman could live."

McCarty encouraged those who couldn't spare any money to perhaps send a note of support or to pray for the family. The little things help, too, she said. Overall, Cerrillo said, the community response has been a good start, but more assistance is needed. Thousands of dollars are needed for dialysis, a series of tests to find a possible kidney donor in her family, and possibly transplant surgery.