Support Erica: Omahre & Olivia’s mom Cancer battle

First and foremost, it's an honor and a privilege to support my best friend through her cancer journey. Erica has always been and will always be one of the most selfless people I know. If you're in need, she has you--she goes above and beyond to give you her last. Now it's our time to support her and her beautiful children through a personal and painful journey. Please read her intimate testimony in her own words below and contribute to her beautiful soul!

 

"My journey through cancer and this pandemic has been a challenge, to say the least. I got through the first surgery for Cervical cancer, which was done last month on June 17th. I went in on July 1st for a full PET scan to check the rest of my body to see if cancer metastasized. We learned that it did. I now have another nodule that presents under my left arm. The Physicians went over treatment options for Non-Hodgkin's  Lymphoma. This extended news was scary and overwhelming for me. Healing from the last surgery and then finding out that this is not over yet devastated me. The two options are localized radiation therapy or surgical removal, plus immunotherapy with both options; there are risks because of my Lupus condition and the previous heart surgeries I have had.

 

I immediately went in overdrive to start planning for the next steps for myself and the kids. Omahre leaves next month to Phoenix, Arizona, to begin his Junior Year at Grand Canyon University. Olivia starts at Garfield this fall for her freshman year in high school. My thoughts went into fears for myself and the future of my children. I want to make sure they will be okay physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. My physician recommended I start the process for disability now due to my inability to work full time for the rest of the year. The process for a disability claim takes 3 to 5 months to get going. I am private about life and health out of protection for myself and the kids, but I cannot do this without support. I am humbly reaching out because I won't survive alone. Please donate whatever is on your heart and in your ability."

Thank you,

Erica

 

If Erica or I shared this piece with you, then she trusts you with her story.  Share with close connections and those able to support her, but please do not share on social media out of respect for her privacy. Thank you so much in advance for your time and support. Be well! 

 

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13 <3

Thank you,
Janell

Update:

My grandparents and family immigrated to the US from Mexico. I have always believed in hard work. I have been a health care worker at Kaiser and Seattle Children’s for many years and have been successfully raising two great kids as a single mom. I developed Lupus in 2007, and managed to keep working. Then I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in 2019. I was still able to work part time. Now, with my cancer treatments becoming more taxing, I had to take a leave from my job. Then when Covid hit, I lost my job at Seattle Children’s. I am in the process of filing for disability. I have never asked for help before, but I am now asking you to give whatever you can.  I have had to use my savings for to get through this time, and that has been depleted now. I can no longer live in my rental unit and will be seeking a lower priced apartment in or around Renton/ Kent. I am trying to raise $75,000 to help pay my rent, for my son’s college expenses, and to support my daughter in high school.

Best, 
Erica