If you grew up or live in the Jessamine County area of Kentucky you most likely know, or at least have heard of, Sally Arias. Known for her hot pepper jelly, the Leader of Jessamine Dog Training, your neighborhood WalMart employee, and MUCH much more - Sally exemplifies what it means to be selfless.

I've known Sally for 16 years, ever since I met her when I was one of the "kids" in the 4H Dog Club. We had just gotten a new dog and my dad thought it would be something fun we could do together. As any stubborn 10 year old would tell you, I didn't think a 4H Dog Club was going to be cool enough for me. However, in an effort to appease my father, I went along with it - that's how I met Sally and life as I knew it was never the same. 

Sally became more than just the instructor of the 4H Dog Club to myself and everyone else who was a part of that group. We were her kids, her family, and she loved us something fierce. Never scared to level with us, be completely blunt and honest, she laid on the tough love thick and thorough. Sally would never shy away from helping anyone, she was always there to lend a helping hand or just a shoulder to cry on. I think I can speak for most of us when I say she was our confidante, our go-to, through the years of adolescense and young adulthood. 

Beyond being there for all of us, Sally has led an incredible life. She is one of those people that always has a story - just when you think you've heard it all she hits you with something else. I won't do it justice relaying any of them here, you'll need to visit her and hear it straight from the horse's mouth. But among everything she's experienced, Sally has been a wife, a mother, and a daughter. Sally is a die hard Chicago Bears fan, lover of Scotch, and all things German Shephards (among all dogs of course). 

To know Sally is to love her, and with that, I come to you today. Sally has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. She has a 2 inch mass sitting on top of her left lung (on the plura). Surgery was not the best option so Sally will be undergoing an intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment under the care of Dr. Susanne Arnold with the UK Markey Cancer Center. She will begin treatment around the beginning of November. Sally will receive radiation 5 days a week, for a total of six weeks. One day of each week Sally will also receive 5-6 hours of Chemotherapy. At the end of the six weeks, her doctors will evaluate her condition and the size of the mass. Depending on those results Sally will then undergo 2-4 more weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. We are still in the early stages of treatment and prognosis, so I will be updating as we learn more. 

Sally has never accepted help or a hand out from anyone in her life, but rather opting for the response "it was just the right thing to do," when stepping in and helping others. Now it is our turn to help Sally.

I'm asking for $25,000 as this is the amount needed to completely pay off Sally's house. Given that Sally won't be able to work during this time (or potentially after), I'm hoping we can raise enough money to take the mortgage off her plate. Any additional money raised will be donated to her medical bills. Every little bit helps! 

Please share with your family and friends. Unfortunately too many of us know what it's like to go through something like this, but the power of faith, love, and support can conquer anything. 

I'm tremendously grateful to anyone reading this and helping to spread the word. 

Many Thanks, 

Elise