Hi, I’m Desirae, and I’m raising funds to help my family care for my parents as they both battle cancer in Alaska.

This year has brought more medical emergencies than we ever imagined. Early in the year, my wife traveled to France so she could say goodbye to her mother before she unexpectedly passed away. While we were still recovering emotionally and financially from that loss, both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer.

My dad underwent a total laryngectomy for throat cancer and is now beginning chemotherapy and radiation in Anchorage, Alaska.

Shortly after my dad’s surgery, we learned that my mom also had cancer. At the time, she was living in Missouri, and the plan there was not to begin treatment, but to set her up with hospice care.

My mom was not ready to stop fighting.

She wanted a second opinion and a chance at treatment, so our family made the decision to move her back to Alaska. That move came with major travel and housing costs, but we are deeply grateful we were able to do it. Once she arrived in Alaska, their medical team was ready to fight alongside her and started her on treatment. Being back in Alaska also means she is closer to more of her support system. My brother Matthew lives in Missouri, but in Alaska she has my brother Justin, friends, and more people nearby who can help her through this.

Since her move back at the end of May, my brother and I have been doing everything we can to keep both of our parents safe and supported. Between temporary housing near treatment, rental cars, travel, everyday expenses, and countless unexpected costs, we’ve exhausted savings and taken on debt just to make sure they have what they need.

One of the biggest challenges has been housing. My mom has had to move from one Airbnb to another while receiving treatment, and those costs continue to grow. We simply weren’t prepared for months of temporary housing on top of everything else.

My mom spent her entire life caring for other people. She has always been the person who showed up when someone needed help, never expecting anything in return. Watching her worry about finances while trying to fight cancer has been one of the hardest parts of this journey.

We’re asking for help so that my brother and I can continue caring for our parents without sinking further into debt. Funds will be used to cover and reimburse housing, transportation, travel, caregiving expenses, and the many unexpected costs that come with helping two parents through cancer treatment.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean the world to us.

Thank you for helping carry a burden that has become too heavy for our family to carry alone.