Support Team Nikki's Breast Cancer Fight

Aloha, and I'm Tere, the proud supporting partner of Nicole Vella-Steede. Six months ago she was diagnosed with two types of aggressive breast cancers. After undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy she now has two more challenges to face. Reconstructive surgery and radiation therapy.

Over the last six month Nicole (Nikki) has been away from work and with the aids of co-workers she has been able to enjoy the peace of mind that her job and her income were secure. It has come to the time now that her income is questionable although she will return to work after treatment.

Nicole's story is simple. Two and a half years ago she flew to the state of Hawaii to assist me after I was injured in Iraq in 2009. Her assistance after my surgeries was the key to my personal recovery. It's now that I'm hoping to return the favor.

Over the time of her treatment we've struggled to make it work. The cost of co-pays to appointments and pharmacy needs have created financial hardships. Like most individuals that have been diagnosed the out of pocket expenses for travel to treatment, life without normal means to create income, and general struggles of treatment are overbearing.

We've have attempted online fundraising in the past. Hoping to grab the help of others as we solicited product for profits. With some success we have managed to make month to month obligations.

Nicole has hopes to fly home to Rockford Illinois in the late spring to witness the graduation of her daughter. Last fall we where on plan to move back to the area but due to medical treatment the choice to stay on island for treatment was our only option. The reunion of the two has been long awaited. Due to a challenging chemo schedule and lack of funding the past holiday season was spent absent of each other with the only form of communication being video or telephonic.

We are asking to reach $15,000 to cover the remaining living and medical expenses along with travel cost to reach home for the graduation.