Help Carla Fight Breast Cancer

This is our mom, Carla Kipper. She is the 53 year old mother of two, the sole bread winner of her household. Carla was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The aftermath of an extensive shoulder surgery masked the early symptoms of the invasive disease. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The treatment plan is aggressive--including chemotherapy (currently in progress), surgery, radiation treatments, and hormone therapy.

Our mom is the most selfless person we have ever met. Not just because that’s what you say about your own mother, but because she has always led by example. We have never had to question whether there would be a hot meal on the table, or that we would have whatever we need, even if it meant Mom went without. Even now as she battles for her life, her first thoughts are of how to best take care of us and lead us--her sons, family, and friends—through this crisis.

Carla is active in the community and church, always striving to leave a positive impression on the lives of everyone she comes in contact with, and has often been described as one of the most genuine, kindhearted women you’d be graced to meet. She always finds the good in people--something to love no matter their story or circumstance.

From the time we were very small Mom made a point of involving us in reaching out to those in need. She "adopted" a nursing home resident who didn't have family and she took us with her to visit them. She had us help pick out and shop for food and supplies and deliver them to food pantries. We visited shelters and gave small gifts to moms with kids. She wanted to teach us to be aware of various needs in the community, recognize the impact even small gestures can make for someone in need, and experience the joy that comes from doing so. Last December we asked what she wanted for Christmas and she answered that she would just like for us to do one of our service projects together. We did.

Now Carla is the one in need. She has been our support system for 22 years and counting; now it is time for us--her boys, her community, and good Samaritans like herself—to help provide her with the same support. She is the soon-to-be grandmother of her first grandchild, and her youngest son has yet to graduate high school, therefore her nurturing duties are far from over. As the sole breadwinner of our family, the expenses to treat cancer as well as the loss of income due to time off work during chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation will mean that it is next to impossible for her to provide for her family or herself. This beautiful soul has enough to worry about without the added strain of the financial burden we now face. We would love for our mom to be able to focus all her strength and effort into fighting her illness and recovering. We love this woman. Her children still depend on her. Her grandchild deserves to meet his or her grandma, whose presence has been that of a role model to her own kids, and likewise she deserves many more years of loving memories.

We respectfully ask that if you are able, please contribute to Carla’s cause. All proceeds will go directly toward her medical and living expenses and will be cherished as nothing less than miraculous to our mother. No contribution is too small, and each act of kindness is recognized and appreciated more than you can imagine. Whether you donate or not, please share this post, pass on Carla’s story, and keep our mom and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

She has always taken great joy in carrying out our random acts of kindness together, even when we didn’t know the recipient personally; please help us pay it forward and return the favor.

Thank you for your priceless impact on all of our lives!

Ben Kipper and Logan Kipper – Carla’s sons