I am honored and proud to call Ann Nardini my family.  Though we aren’t related by blood, you would never know by the way she cares for me, respects me, and loves me – her love is unconditional.  I wish I could say I was unique and the only person in Ann’s life that she “adopted” and nurtured with what can only be described as a natural maternal instinct.  Alas, I am not unique.  Ann has acquired many “children” during her life that she has loved just as much as I know she loves me.  Ann “adopted” every misfit friend her son John brought around because she knew they needed love, guidance, and someone to set them on the straight and narrow.  Ann “adopted” countless co-workers (that’s how she got stuck with me), the children of friends, and frankly anyone who needed a helping hand.

Ann’s not perfect.  She’s short, she’s sarcastic, and she swears too much.  Every year the woman gives up swearing for Lent (and every year I take great pride in getting her to swear during Lent).  Ann’s not perfect.  She has these annoyingly cute sweaters for every holiday that make you feel like you are the Grinch of Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc.  Ann’s not perfect.  She cares too much.   She gives too much when she has so little left.  I know I am not alone in experiencing Ann’s generosity.  You there reading this, how many times has Ann sat on the phone with you for hours because you needed to talk, made you food when you were sick, made you food when you weren’t sick, or gave you a gift that knocked your socks off?  How did she know to buy you that amazing gift you didn’t even know you needed/wanted – because she listens to you, better than you listen to yourself.  How many times has Ann flicked you off when you were being a jerk and needed a reality check?  How many times has Ann sacrificed her time for you?  How many times has Ann spent way too much money on you, your children, or even your pets?  How many times has Ann’s gracious ways touched you and inspired you to be a better person?

Ann’s greatest blessing is her son and her two gorgeous granddaughters.  Her second greatest blessing should be all of us as we attempt to repay her for her kindness as she wages war on her battle with cancer.

In late 2014 Ann lost her job due to cut backs.  She has actively searched for a new job for well over a year.  Ann has applied for everything from insurance broker to receptionist and everything in between.  I wish this was Ann’s first brush with financial hardship, but it is not.  Ann was a young single mother who sacrificed her youth to raise her son in a stable and happy environment.  Ann often worked two jobs to make ends meet and still yet came close to losing her house many times.  With those years behind her, Ann never imagined that in 2014, she would be facing the same financial struggles of her youth.

I have heard that God never gives you more than you can handle.  So he must think Ann is a real bad ass.  In September 2015 Ann was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer.  This particular type of breast cancer travels through the lymph nodes and can attack the brain, lungs, liver, and bones if not treated aggressively.  Ann’s treatment includes chemotherapy every three weeks with each round lasting 5-6 hours at a time.  The side effects of the chemotherapy have taken their toll on Ann.  The nausea, the body aches, extreme fatigue, and the diarrhea have completely debilitated Ann - she often ends up in ER after her chemotherapy because the side effects are unmanageable. 

There are other side effects of chemotherapy that simply are not listed on the manufactures label.  Ann can’t pursue looking for a job any longer.  She can’t clean her home.  She can’t visit with her friends and family.  And the greatest side effect plaguing Ann’s mind is financial.  With no money coming in Ann has exhausted her retirement fund and her savings to pay her mortgage, her utilities, and medical expenses.  Ann is now literally living from check to check on Social Security.  Her insurance is covering much of Ann’s treatment, but there is a limit to her coverage and with each chemotherapy treatment totaling $70,000 EACH it has become a reality that eventually insurance will no longer pay.  To compound matters further, Ann needs a related surgery after she completes her chemotherapy.

Ann needs us.  Ann needs us all to stop and think about everything she has done for us throughout the years.  The countless blessings she has bestowed on us all can never really be repaid, nor did Ann ever expect them to be repaid.  But now is the time for us to make an attempt at repayment and help a woman who has spent a lifetime helping others.  Please donate to Ann.  Please share this with others who are fortunate enough to know Ann or those who have been touched by cancer and may have the ability to help the most perfect stranger they would ever know.