I never thought I would be putting a GoFundMe together, but when one of my best friends was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of months ago, life suddenly became pretty damn real. One minute we were hanging out, watching our kids play in the pool, and the next we were talking about breast exams and chemo.

When we're lucky, we go through life never needing to worry about certain things, but when life has other plans, it reminds us just how fragile and precious everything really is.

Kendra Goody isn't just my friend, she's the mom of two amazing kids, Madison (11) and Wyatt (13). She is strong, funny, tough as nails, and always the one you can count on. But right now, she is facing something no one should face alone.

Kendra was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, a more aggressive form than most. Her treatment plan involves 18 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy, and then radiation. The tumor is 2.5 cm and has already spread to the lymph nodes in the center of her chest. Chemo has been brutal, and while she is doing her best to keep up with everything and maintain some sense of normalcy, she is struggling in a way I have never seen before. When the chemo treatment started, she was barely able to keep down food and has been going in for IV hydration therapy a couple of times a week. On top of that, she developed an infection at her port site in her chest, which put her in the hospital this week with a 105 fever. With everything happening so fast, she's doing her best to stay on top of work and keep life going as normal, but honestly, she is worried and wondering how she's going to keep up with everything.

Kendra is one of the most amazing and giving people I've ever met, and I'm sure if you know her, you would say the same. So if you've ever laughed at something Kendra said, if your kid ever got home safe because she gave them a ride from school or practice, or if she's ever listened to you vent and then made you laugh with some smartass comment (making you laugh and forget why you were so upset), you know the kind of person she is. She gives so much to the people around her, and now she needs us.

Every donation, no matter the size, will help ease the financial burden that comes with fighting cancer. Between medical bills, unexpected hospital stays, and the cost of running a household while in treatment, the stress is more than anyone should have to bear.

The goal is simple: let's do everything we can to make sure Kendra can focus on her health and her kids without the added stress of finances. She never expected to be here, but now that she is, she and her family are grateful for every bit of support. With your help, Kendra can put her energy where it matters most, on healing and being there for her kids.

Your support, in any amount, means so much to Kendra and all of us who love her. Every donation lightens the load and brings her one step closer to recovery. We are confident that she will come through this, and we are deeply thankful for your compassion and generosity!