Supporting Carolina in healing her stage 4 cancer

Hi, my name is Jenna. I am fundraising for one of my closest friends, Caro.

She has been battling stage four cancer for almost three years after giving birth to her son. She’s done countless treatments and worked with several doctors. She plans to do radiation at the end of this year, hopefully doing the trick.

She has shown up for me since I met her fourteen years ago.

We became lifetime friends and have had a sister dynamic ever since.

She knows all my secrets, struggles, dreams and celebrations. I am heartbroken and the thought that I could potentially lose her and her friendship.

To support her while she goes through this, I have offered her two things: to shave my head (which I am also donating) and to raise money so that she can go on the yoga retreat I am hosting at Casa Tara in La Paz, Mexico. I want to pay for her to be able to go on the retreat, a spa treatment of her choice, the flight and childcare. I want this to give her strength and even hope. I don't want her to think about the financial burden but be fully taken care of so she can unplug and focus on healing.

For the last decade of knowing each other, she’s supported me emotionally and even physically…

She’s come to my yoga classes.

She’s gone camping with me.

She’s taught me how to cook (better;).

She’s supported me in my many phases of life and alter egos!

She brought me to Peru (her homeland) and welcomed me into her family.

Over the years, we have gotten to know each other very well. We lived in Cardiff, where we regularly went to the beach, yoga and the climbing gym together. We fought like sisters. We had countless conversations, not always agreeing but eventually always coming back to a mutual understanding of our love for each other.

We have been together through thick and thin.

We have fought with each other.

We have cried together.

We laugh* together.

We have seen each other in different relationships and been there for each other in vulnerable and powerful states during the stages of life. She’s one of my closest friends because…

She is fierce.

She is fiery.

She is passionate.

She is loyal.

She is caring.

She is thoughtful.

She is beautiful inside out.

She is a boss.

She is bad b.

She plans on shaving her head pre-radiation. Although I wouldn’t say I like to make blanket statements, for most women, it is a big deal to lose your hair at any age but especially when the cause is due to cancer. Women, in general, are often judged on appearance (hair, body, aging etc.). It’s incredibly challenging not to get wrapped up in these concepts as women due to social media and culture.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be in her circle of close friends and people she can rely on while battling cancer. It breaks my heart that she’s been fighting for three years, and I want this gesture to give her something to look forward to at the end of her treatment. I am also so excited to spend time with her and help her on her healing journey.

Anything helps. Thank you so much for donating.