Last week, my sister-in-law Carrie carried her three-year-old son Elias 200 yards uphill — because he asked, and because she finally could.

A few months ago, that wasn't possible. After chemo left her too weak to lift him for more than a few steps, and then surgery kept her from holding him at all for six weeks — getting her boy back in her arms was everything.

Carrie was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in April 2025. Since then she has been through chemotherapy, major surgery, and radiation — all while raising Elias alongside her partner Roman, and for long stretches, without being able to work.

Here is the genuinely good news: the treatment did exactly what it was supposed to. After surgery, pathology confirmed a complete response — no residual invasive cancer, clear lymph nodes. We are so grateful. Carrie is healing, and she is getting stronger every week.

But the journey isn't finished. Carrie recently completed 15 rounds of radiation and is now recovering while continuing IV therapy — with six more infusions ahead through the summer, followed by oral therapy for several years. Roman has held this family together through all of it, while Elias fills their home with the kind of energy only a three-year-old can.

Months of reduced income, ongoing medical costs, childcare, and the steady accumulation of bills that don't pause while you're fighting cancer — the financial weight on this family has been real and significant. Their goal is $150,000 to carry them through the remaining months of treatment and into recovery with stability beneath their feet.

If you've ever loved someone through something hard, you know that what people need most is to not have to worry about the basics while they fight. That's what your support gives this family.

Donate if you can. Share if you can't. And if you'd prefer to give privately or want to discuss a larger contribution, reach out to me (Katie) directly through this campaign.

With love,

Katie — Carrie's sister-in-law

Every contribution makes a real difference. Here’s what yours can do:

$50 — gas and transportation to get Carrie to her appointments

$100 — groceries for the week while she focuses on healing

$500 — childcare so Elias is cared for while Carrie gets treatment

$1,000 — a month of essential bills and utilities, one less thing to worry about

$5,000+ — meaningful stability for the months ahead, and the breathing room to just heal

And if donating isn’t possible right now — sharing this page costs nothing and means everything.