Florida Teen Jasmine Ramirez, 14, Undergoes 17-Hour Surgery to Amputate 174-Lb Leg, Family Shares Her “Journey of Strength”

“No kid ever deserves this,” Jasmine Ramirez’s sister said, “but she has challenges and she has pushed through.”

A Florida teen is recovering after undergoing surgery to amputate her 174-pound leg.

Jasmine Ramirez, 14, has spent most of her life living with a rare lymphomatous tumor that affected her left leg, according to ABC affiliate WFTS. The condition, which began when she was just 2 years old, caused her leg to grow abnormally, CBS affiliate WPEC reported.

Over the years, Jasmine underwent multiple surgeries, but a recent infection in the leg led doctors to determine that amputation was necessary, per local outlet WTVT. Earlier this month, she reportedly endured nearly 17 hours of surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg to remove the leg.

In addition to the amputation, doctors “were able to remove 90%” of the mass—which also affected Jasmine’s abdomen—according to Anastashia Carrasquillo, identified by WFTS as Jasmine’s sister. Carrasquillo also organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Jasmine and their family.

Jasmine is now beginning what Carrasquillo described as a “long, rigorous journey” as she continues healing. She is expected to spend Christmas in the hospital, though Carrasquillo said Jasmine “will not be sad” because she will be celebrating with loved ones.

Carrasquillo said her sister “is getting stronger” following the major surgery, while acknowledging that adjusting to this new chapter will not be easy. “Still, the struggle of adapting to this new stage of her life is present,” Carrasquillo wrote on the family’s fundraiser. “She is so strong and we know recovery will continue to go well.”

As of Tuesday, Dec. 23, more than $22,000 had been raised through the GoFundMe campaign for Jasmine and her family.

The family has also been sharing updates through a Facebook page called “Jasmine’s Journey,” posting information about Jasmine, her life, and what lies ahead.

“We just want people to know how strong Jasmine is and how courageous and how kind she is,” Carrasquillo said, calling her sister “a sweet girl,” according to WFTS.

“No kid ever deserves this,” she added, “but she has challenges and she has pushed through and we want people to know the story of her strength and her courageousness and we also want her story to get out there.”