Dying Girl Pleads To See Her Family

North Augusta, SC—Karen Flores, cancer patient: “I love them very much. That I have never forgotten about them, about my brothers and that every day I pray for them.”

Karen Flores is only 23-years-old and dying of liver cancer. All she wants is to be with her family who live in Honduras. But, the government won’t grant them VISA’s, because they couldn’t say how long they would be here.

Flores: “I have faith that they will come, and I pray everyday that they will get the VISA to come here.”

Our Lady of Peace Church in North Augusta have been Karen’s family for the past 3 years, and pushing to help bring her parents to the states, for what could be her final days.

Father Tim Lijewski, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church: “You know it broke her heart, and to see her heart. And I know that seems to be her number one concern, and I can’t imagine dying, and being so young and not being able to see your family.”

The church has raised thousands to help bring Karen’s family here, but their pleading for much more.

Father Lijewski: “You know, getting the word out, asking people to write their senators to appeal to the humanitarian cause, or just compassion.”

These Honduras posters hang on Karen’s bedroom walls, with no pictures of her family, those posters and her faith are what get her through another day.

Flores: “I know I will continue with God’s help. I know I’m going to recover and start again.”

While it’s unclear what the future holds for this young girl, she says knowing she has her parents and brother’s love, will help her fight the battle of her life.

Flores: “If there is anybody listening, if there is a way to get my parents here, that is what I really want, that is my biggest desire right now.”

Father Lijewski says he has tried to contact the Cardinals’ office in Honduras. You can read more about this story in our news partner, ‘Hola Augusta’ newspaper.