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In Memory of Iliana Romero
 Dear Friend,Thank you for visiting Iliana’s website. It has now been over a year since her passing, but Iliana lives on in the hearts and memories of all who loved her and in the faces of her beautiful children. Those of you who followed Iliana's journey know that she was an amazing woman who overflowed with courage, grace and humor. She loved her family more than anything else on this earth and for them, she fought her illness like a warrior. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend...Iliana was so much to so many people.
Please continue to pray for Iliana's family. As with others who grieve, the passage of a little time means they need our prayers and encouragement now more than ever before. The guest book on this website remains open for your messages of support, encouragement, and memories of Iliana.
May God continue to bless and keep watch over the Romero and Castro families, and
"provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
To find out more about Iliana's story, please continue reading below:
liana Romero was a 29 year-old mother of three who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia during her third pregnancy. Iliana underwent intensive chemotherapy in 2005 only to have the leukemia return in October ’06.
Iliana’s doctors at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance recommended a bone marrow stem cell transplant as soon as possible. At first, Iliana's insurance refused to cover the transplant, but Iliana would not give up. When a potential donor was found, Iliana took out newspaper advertisements asking the community for their support, appeared on television and worked tirelessly with a committee of friends to raise funds for her transplant. The circle of those touched by Iliana's incredible spirit and courage grew wider and wider. Eventually, Iliana's insurance came through and donations made to her campaign were used to cover related medical expenses.
On May 29, 2007, Iliana received her transplant. Iliana and her family felt profoundly grateful for all the prayers and financial contributions that helped make this transplant possible.
Iliana’s transplant went smoothly, but it was far from easy. For several days and weeks after her transplant she experienced severe pain in her mouth and throat, making it difficult to eat . . . but meanwhile her body accepted the new cells. On June 21, Iliana was discharged from the hospital.
Over the summer, Iliana continued to have medication administered through her spine every other week, causing bad headaches and making it hard for her to maintain her weight. However, she remained positive about about her goal -- approaching her 100th-day-post-transplant cancer-free - a milestone that would mean "graduating" from the transplant process and returning to maintenance with her oncologist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Iliana savored every moment back at home with her parents, brother, sister, husband Ricardo and their three children - Anahi, Karina and Ricky.
In September Iliana passed her 100-day mark and was joyously declared "cancer-free." However, she continued to fight the the effects of her illness and treatment. In the month of October Iliana experienced a rejection which had a 50% known-likelihood of occurring. Iliana's doctors worked through the rejection, but the steroids and immunosuppressants Iliana needed to battle it left her vulnerable to infection.
In early December, Iliana re-entered the hospital with a serious infection. She battled it courageously and rallied back several times to spend precious moments with her beloved family. She passed away at 3:30 a.m. on December 25th, 2007.
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