Update December 31, 2025:  

Six days. 

That is how far my friend Tara Rae was from protection. 

Six days from the end of her probationary period. 

Six days from FMLA. 

Six days from job security, health insurance, and the benefits she had earned. 

Six days from a little breathing room while fighting stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

She was fired anyway. 

Tara and I both began working for the Internal Revenue Service in December of 2024. Like all new federal employees, our first year was probationary. Throughout that year, our jobs were under constant threat. First, we were told all probationary workers would be terminated regardless of performance. Then we were required to send weekly emails proving our effectiveness — failure to do so would be considered resignation. So we worked hard to prove ourselves, but we worked under constant worry. Then came the Reduction in Force. 

The RIF came with training on how our importance would be ranked: tenure first, performance second. An employee with years of poor performance could outrank a high-performing employee with less time. Tara had six months. She never stood a chance. 

During the RIF, the bonus Tara had been contractually promised was rescinded — legally. Contracts do not matter during a RIF. There is no recourse. Notices arrived in confusing, last-minute emails. 

Before the government shutdown, we were reassured that termination wasn’t an option — and then watched as employees were escorted out of the building five minutes later. 

Mental health across the workforce deteriorated. Some were even hospitalized. These are my friends. 

No private employer could treat workers this way without consequence. But the federal government is immune. 

It has been hard on all of us, but Tara’s body was also failing her. She still showed up. She worked. Even when life did not feel worth continuing under the constant uncertainty imposed by our employer and her new cancer diagnosis, she was there — doing her job with integrity. Meanwhile, others with the protection of tenure showed up rarely, performed poorly, and fostered a toxic work environment. Tara was the one fired. 

Poor performance — the default explanation used again and again this year. But as a witness to these events, I can tell you where the real performance failure lies. 

Tara is now unemployed, uninsured, and fighting cancer. 

She lives alone with her three dogs and is the sole source of income for her household. She is a devoted mother to two adult sons. She is kind, sharp-witted, resilient, and deeply loved by those lucky enough to know her. She is strong enough to fight this disease — but no one should have to fight cancer and institutional cruelty at the same time. 

I am likely to face consequences for sharing this. I am doing it anyway.  

Because Tara’s story is not unique. Because thousands of federal employees are being harmed with no path to justice. Because silence is what allows this to continue. 

This fundraiser exists so Tara can focus on survival instead of scrambling to stay afloat. Donations will help cover medical care, living expenses, and the basic dignity of stability while she undergoes treatment. 

If this story angers you — good. 

If it scares you — it should. 

If it moves you — please act. 

Accountability matters. 

Donate if you can. 

Share this widely. 

Bear witness. 

 — for Tara

—————————————————————

My dear friend Tara Rae was diagnosed this week with stage 3 non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Last night we talked about it. She’s tired, like she has been for months, but she’s in good spirits. Her cancer is not the curable kind, but with the right treatments, remission and a long life are possible.

For the love of her two sons, Tara has made the choice to fight, but there are challenges overshadowing that hope.

Tara, who lives alone with her three pups, is the only source of income for her household. It’s been a hard year. As symptoms of her cancer have risen and she’s sought diagnosis, our government has threatened her employment constantly. With the cost of living so high, Tara like many of us, was already struggling to just barely get by and now she finds herself furloughed due to the shutdown. Even if she were called back to work tomorrow, her treatments will still cause her to miss significant amounts of work without pay. Her current financial situation is dire, but it pales in comparison to what’s to come.

I’ve worked side by side with Tara every day for the last year. She’s a beautiful and kind soul with a quick wit and a heavy dose of Texan fire. Her circle is small; just her sons, some family and her work fam, but those who know Tara, absolutely adore her. She’s a strong woman, capable of the fight ahead, but help is always needed for battles like this and so I want to make her circle bigger.

I’m asking that you donate what you can for my friend. Your help will allow her to focus on her healing journey instead of worrying about how to survive each day, but it will also allow her to see that even amid the turmoil this world is still a beautiful place and that will give her hope.

Hope is powerful, but I believe love is the greatest healer and I want Tara Rae to feel an abundance of both, so whether or not you are able to donate, please show my sweet friend some love in the comments wherever you see this post.

All donated funds will be used for medical bills and to supplement Tara's income while she undergoes intensive treatments.