My name is Anisha Imhoff-Kerr, and I’m 40 years old (although ¾ of the time my brain still thinks I’m 25). I started this fundraiser for my own medical costs and to assist with final life expenses for my mother, Rosemarie Imhoff, who passed away in late November. I currently live in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Bernalillo County), as did my mother before she passed away on November 21st.

This GoFundMe has two goals. The first is to raise the funds necessary to reimburse Bernalillo County so they will release my mother’s ashes (as she has already been cremated). I cannot move forward with planning a celebration of life/funeral/memorial or giving any closure to her life until this happens. The second goal is to raise the money needed for the last part of my cancer treatment. Over the past two years, the tumor has shown little to no growth. In the past six months, the situation has changed, making it eminently important that I begin (and finish) the last round of chemo.

Bringing My Parents' Remains Together, As Rose Wished

As I said, the first goal is to raise the funds necessary to reimburse Bernalillo County so they will release my mother’s ashes (as she has already been cremated). After my mom passed away in November, an autopsy was ordered. A few days later, I had to speak with the medical examiner’s office. I answered their questions, asked a few of my own, and gave my contact information, as well as contact information for two other people (in case they could not reach me. I was told it would take between 60 and 90 days for them to get me a report.

I lost track of time during the holidays; the days blended. However, I realized that 90 days had passed, and I had not heard anything.

In February 2026, I made an appointment and went to a funeral home to arrange cremation and to coordinate obtaining copies of the death certificate for tax and other legal purposes. It was during this appointment that I was informed that the Medical Examiner’s Office had completed its report. After trying to contact all listed individuals for one week (though I didn’t receive a phone call or email), they sent Rose to the Bernalillo County Unclaimed Indigent Cremation Program. They had her cremated the day she arrived, January 17. I was able to open a case with them that would allow me to claim her remains after a specified waiting period (3 months).

This seemed like half a step back, two steps to the side and one step forward, in the process of getting her remains safely interred next to my dad in Maryland, as she had explicitly requested. Starting on April 17, I am eligible to get her ashes from the county. However, to do so, I must reimburse them for the total cost of the cremation, fees, taxes, etc. The total is $1400. I have 30 days from April 17th to reimburse this in full.

There is another option, which is to have her ashes kept at the crematorium. If I do this, then I must reimburse them at their rate, not the rate they give the county (which is steeply discounted). They will hold Rose’s ashes for 2 years; it does not have to be paid in full. However, it would be $2370.

It is preferred to reimburse the county and obtain my mom’s ashes right away. But if it is necessary to wait and use the option to pay over two years, that is what will happen.

Treating My Worsening Cancer

At the same time, my lymphoma – which had been stabilized for some time now – has begun to worsen, requiring an additional round of chemo pills. Luckily, I still have a friend who works at the pharmaceutical company who can get me these pills (a complete round of treatment – 6 weeks) for a steeply discounted $3,000.

Continuing Medical Issues

I think everyone has become familiar with the fact that I have what I call a 'pesky ulcer.' Over the last four years, it has become peskier, grown, and caused more problems. It flares up when I'm stressed. I can handle incredibly high amounts of stress. So, I don't even attempt to remember what was going on in the past times that I had ulcer issues.

In a nutshell, it's done a number on my stomach and gastrointestinal system.

My doctors (all 8 of them) have informed me that I need to work on my stress because if the ulcer worsens or perforates again (one or two more times, at most), then I won't be able to do chemotherapy. At least not without being hooked up to tubes that handle bodily functions. That is not something I would want. The only correct response to that news is the one that I gave: "You're telling me to lessen my stress, so you just told me that? Nice."

Time is also of the essence. Based on the last two scans, the tumor's growth has changed from indolent to aggressive. It is a significant change, and a dangerous one. With the tumor growing at an accelerated rate, it makes it even more important to begin chemo while my body can handle it.

If the ulcer flares up or perforates 2 or 3 more times or the tumor grows too much (estimated longer than a month), chemo will not be an option. My stomach wouldn’t be able to handle it (pill or IV form). Also, due to the location of the lymphoma, radiation is not an option. Doctors didn’t offer any other options.

Please Help

I know I will never have a better friend than my mom, Rose. Nothing can bring her back, but with your help, I can honor her wishes to lay her to rest next to my father and to honor her memory by staying alive. I will continue to cherish all those who knew and loved Rose, as well as those who have been so kind to me over the years.

I’m reaching out to you for help. To the people who have helped my mom, Rose and me in the past, I hope that you can find it in your heart to help me get my mom to her final resting place in Maryland, next to my dad. I find I must ask for your help one last time – this time, my life literally depends on it. I know my mom would not want me to join her this soon.

I need help to be able to get the treatment I need. That’s a total of $4,400, though the fundraising goal is set at $5000 to cover any unforeseen costs. Any amount will be a huge, no donation is too big or too small.