My Fight for Tomorrow: Single Mom Battles Stage 3 Cancer and Diabetes to Stay for Her Children

My name is Alexis Duarte, and my world was permanently altered this past year. I am writing this from a place of vulnerability and urgency, as I recently received two devastating diagnoses:

Stage 3 Breast Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes.

When I heard the word "cancer," my world didn't just stop; it shattered. My immediate and only thought was of my two beautiful children. Every significant memory we've shared, every milestone, every laugh—it all flashed before my eyes, followed by the terrifying thought of all the moments I might miss. I need to be here to watch them grow up, thrive, and build lives of their own. They are my entire reason for fighting.

The Stakes: My Children Need Their Mom

As a single mother, I am my children's rock, and their needs are constant. They rely on my presence and stability to manage their learning differences and daily routines. Now, facing six months of intensive chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, I can no longer maintain my work schedule or provide the reliable, stable environment they depend on.

My fight is not just for my life; it is to ensure they do not lose the one parent who is completely dedicated to their care and future. I am fighting to show them strength and to be their anchor through this storm.

My Treatment Plan and Critical Need

My treatment is aggressive and begins immediately:

• Treatment Timeline: I am scheduled to begin six months of chemotherapy on November 20th, followed by surgery and then radiation.

• The Dual Burden: Managing Stage 3 cancer treatment while also navigating the strict dietary and medical requirements of newly diagnosed diabetes is a demanding, full-time job.

This is where I desperately need your help. The overwhelming financial stress makes healing nearly impossible. Your contribution will not be paying for everything; it will be providing a critical safety net so I can focus 100% of my energy on surviving and healing for my kids.

Funds raised will go directly toward these crucial necessities:

• Medical Essentials: Covering out-of-pocket costs for chemotherapy, specialized prescriptions, and vital doctor's appointments.

• Health and Wellness: Purchasing healthy, specialized meals and supplies (like testing strips and insulin) necessary to manage my diabetes and keep me strong enough for treatment.

• Stability and Care: Ensuring the lights stay on and we have a roof over our heads (monthly living expenses) during the six months I am unable to work consistently. This stability is crucial for my children's well-being.

• Transportation: Covering fuel and necessary transportation costs to and from countless appointments, which are often hours away.

Thank You for Sharing My Story

If you are unable to donate, please know that sharing my story is a donation in itself. Please share this with your friends, family, and networks.

Thank you for reading my story and for being a part of the miracle I am fighting for. I promise to update you every step of the way on this journey back to health and back to being the fully present mother my children need.

With deepest gratitude,

Alexis Duarte