Coming Together To Support Charlese

... and the campaign continues...
COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT CHARLESE


Charlese's story...written by Wesley and Ryan

Today I bring to the public a friend and leader of our community, a 52 year old, mother, grandmother, and Sister in Christ, who has truly been thrown any bad circumstance life could throw.  However, it takes an extremely special person to keep a smile on her face in the midst of THIS type of adversity. Charlese Nolley.... One of the strongest women I have ever met in my life.  I encourage you to listen to this story, whether you donate or not; my first request be that you read this woman’s story, listen, share this with 5 people that you know that are impactors, the difference makers, the leaders.  This story embodies the meaning of fight, will, passion, and faith!  It will not only inspire you to accomplish more, but will inspire the people close to you as well.

Charlese lost her job, her marriage, and the ability to work.  Many people I know have let these circumstances rule their life; not Charlese for shortly after, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, after feeling lumps in her left breast.

“I felt like my entire world was crashing down around me” stated Charlese for after three visits to the doctor, two tumors where discovered.

 This is her current health journey...From 2007- 2012, Charlese had her first occurrence of breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy of her left breast and three reconstructive surgeries; last of which almost killed her due to Mercer/Staph infection.

From 2012-2017, there was a recurrence.  Due to this she had a lumpectomy near her lymph nodes on her left side.  The required treatment was chemotherapy from May-October 2012.  

After Charlese's last treatment, she noticed a physical change in her body that included severe pain.  She was examined by her team of doctors and it was determined that due to chemotherapy she developed peripheral neuropathy (damaged-diseased nerves) causing numbness and pain throughout her body.  She also has limited feeling in her hands and feet.

Charlese also developed osteoarthritis (joint disease), and osteonecrosis (bone deterioration) that requires her to have a hip replacement.  She has chronic headaches, chronic pain, accelerated HTN (hypertension), colic, convulsive disorder, and syncope (fainting spells).  Her pain levels are extremely high and unpredictable.

The incredible thing is you would never know you wouldn't hear it nor see it. She embodies pure faith and strength.

Due to these ailments, she is now placed in disability status and is unable to return to her former position or her prior administrative duties.  Since losing her employment, Charlese has exhausted her short and long term leave with her employer.  She has filed for disability twice, but her local county has an overwhelming back log of case files.  This has created a negative snowball effect on her overall finances.

Currently, she has no income and faces eviction every 3 months.  She has been receiving some assistance from friends and family, but that flow of help is becoming slow because they have their own obligations.

She needs financial assistance that will aid her with medical bills not covered by aid and life expenses (i.e. rent, power, gas, water, life insurance) for the forthcoming months.  In light of her health condition, she cannot be without a place to live.  The lack of monetary stability has created an abundance of stress and this stress in turn creates more illness.

There are days when Charlese is in so much pain that she is forced to remain in bed for days at a time, and this doesn't help because she is not able to move and circulate.  She also has to use a cane.

On March 16th, Charlese received confirmation that the biopsy on the oral surgery was benign, no cancer!  Unfortunately, after following up during this time with her yearly breast exams the radiologist saw a questionable area in her right breast.  A biopsy was scheduled.  The results of the biopsy confirmed the dreadful news that she has another recurrence of breast cancer.  This time the tumor is TNBC Triple-Negative.  TNBC is an aggressive breast cancer that is highly common in African-American women and the survival rate is poor.

On April 21st, she received a lumpectomy within her right breast and 5 lymph nodes were removed.  The following day her surgeon revealed there was no trace of cancer around the peripheral area of the tumor and the lymph nodes were benign.  Although this is awesome news, there still needs to be treatment to kill the cells in that area.  It was decided she will need 4 weeks of radiation Monday-Friday which started Thursday June 1st and ended June 28th.  She has been released from the radiology oncologist, and now awaits scheduling for her hip replacement.

In the meantime, Charlese has continued to visit her primary physician, with the help from her orthopedic doctor, to help manage her right hip and body pain.

My sister in Christ is a trooper and is recovering very well.  Despite all she is going through she still places herself last by making sure her family is okay.

I stand behind this amazing woman and for this 3 time Survivor that her future shows a cancer free life!!!!

I completely understand this may be a lot to take in at the moment, it was for me too. However, it’s my duty to share her story to show her magnificence!!!

Charlese is a Godly, glorious woman walking in her faith journey.  She has many infirmities and adversities upon her at this time but she still manages to stay afloat defeating as much negativity as she can.  A story like this, many people would give up.... Not Charlese!  There isn't an ounce of give up in her. It’s our duty to help people like this.  The world NEEDS more people like Charlese.  We are truly better together.  The ones who plant, and the ones who water are the same!

With this being said I pray that you are led and can find it in your heart to help us raise money to take care of her monthly expenses until this SSI disability battle has been defeated.  No amount is too small.  She will be grateful with whatever gifted.  Thank you for taking the time to be a blessing!

Major Problem 
Many of us have faced some type of struggle with a local system.  Sometimes it’s the traffic system, healthcare, you name it.  Charlese faces something that is extremely unique…Her cancer has put her in a position where she cannot work; however, she has been postponed for disability.  I personally know people that have been cleared for disability that have much lesser ailments. This must be put to a stop!!!

We can rise up as a community, come together and show that no matter what the system says, no one is more deserving than Charlese!  Not allowing Charlese to have an income, we can do more together than we can apart!

The money we raise will help limit her stress and provide her with some level of comfort.  Imagine if this was your love one or someone you are close to, experiencing this type of situation.  Would you do all you could to fight to make a difference?  Of course you would.

Not only can we help Charlese get out of the hole our systems have put her in, she has vowed to stand up to this injustice for others in our community. Her vision is for a non-profit organization that will help local people with cancer get the help they need.  Not just medically, but support emotionally, spiritually and beyond.

The Mission
As we raise funds starting this month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, our country comes together to show support to those who suffer from this horrible disease across the world.  Your contribution, her inspiration to continue to fight hopefully will help to encourage others not to give up on their journey!

This world needs HOPE, and when the cards seem to be against Charlese, she has never given up HOPE.

Hope is the key, we can help her turn that HOPE into something that can never be stopped.

The game plan is set, the pieces are in place; however, the last step is raising the capital to set this movement into motion

“Always Fighting” is what defines Charlese…

It’s what should define us all!

Charlese founded L.O.E. Lilies of Essence Ministries: a grass roots entity whose goal is to encourage and enrich the lives of others by displaying life, hope, new beginnings, inner peace, love, joy and beauty within their daily lives.

This web of support has implemented assignments focusing on the empowerment of women, the transitions of young and/or single mothers, and the challenges of offenders and ex-offenders due to incarceration and release into society.

This preparation for their life’s purpose equipped, enhanced and motivated while building lasting relationships for the advancement of communities, churches, schools and organizations throughout Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas earning this woman of standard the well-deserved title of leader, encourager and motivational speaker to all.

Although many assignments have come under the umbrella of LOE her journey now revolves around her personal battle with breast cancer.  Her challenge is to teach others how despite what circumstances come their way, whether through health, every day adversities, emotional trials or distress we all are conquerors through Christ who strengthens us and equips us to survive and endure throughout the storms.

This birthed the Rose of Sharon Project.  A leader and fresh voice due to her journey, Charlese wants to be that thread of support connecting communities and individuals to breast cancer awareness and all associated with it.  She welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with others coming together as one unified entity to touch and encourage many lives while providing the necessary levels of support needed to progress this project and its vision.

Where Your Money Goes
Helping Charlese get caught up on her rent as she cannot work and is denied disability…

Until Disability Comes
Rent -$7000 Needed
Utilities -$2000 Needed
Food/Household/Personal Items -$1,000 

The Future  
The future is bright for Charlese.  With your help, it will be even brighter. Charlese journey continues.  She is truly someone that is living something bigger than her; bigger than all of us.  That’s what truly impressed me about Charlese.  Someone that has been through so much, been thrown ever single hurdle you can imagine; yet her focus is still on helping others.  Where many would only be worried about themselves, Charlese has shown to be a true saint living with us on earth.

Your Contribution
Your contribution today will not only serve a great cause, but we want to keep you posted on where your money is going… Thank You So Much for Reading, Sharing, and Contributing.