My name is Leann, and I am a mother to three incredible daughters, ages 16, 11, and 8. For the past three years, I have been fighting the hardest battle of my life—stage 4 cancer.

My journey began with stage 2 colon cancer, which required emergency surgery, followed by treatment and radiation in my hometown. Unfortunately, the treatments were unsuccessful. I then transferred my care to MD Anderson, hoping for better options. While I was under their care for three months, the cancer continued to grow. I was also enrolled in a clinical trial, but the treatment caused my heart function to drop by 10%, making me ineligible for any further clinical trials. At this point, I am only eligible for standard local treatment.

Throughout this process, I was unable to receive assistance from available programs due to the lack of a full-time caretaker and long waiting lists. On top of my medical battle, I am now facing severe financial hardship. I have applied for long-term disability through my employer, but I am required to go at least 60 days without income, and even if approved, benefits would not begin until late February or March.

I am asking for help so I can continue paying my bills and maintain health insurance for myself and my three daughters. Most importantly, I am asking for help so I can keep fighting—to be here for my children and not leave them without their mother.

This has been the most terrifying and exhausting experience of my life. I am doing everything I can to stay strong, but the financial stress has become overwhelming. Any donations, sharing this page, or kind words helps lift some of that burden and allows me to focus on what matters most: fighting for my life.

If, in the worst case, I do not win this battle, your support would at least allow me to leave something behind for my children—a small cushion to help them as they begin their lives. Writing that is incredibly painful, but it gives me a bit of peace knowing they may have some support when I can no longer provide it myself.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, generosity, and compassion during this incredibly difficult time.