Donate to Cheri (Winiecki) Holmes' Fight for Her Future

Cheri (Winiecki) Holmes wears many hats in life, and she does so with grace, humor, love, determination, and a bit of stubbornness that only makes her stronger. Cheri is a devoted wife to Dave—her teenage sweetheart—and an amazing mother to their two sons, Leo (9) and Alex (12). As a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, she is cherished by many. Cheri is also a proud and dedicated Lieutenant/Paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department, where she has selflessly served her community for over 20 years and has been a paramedic for 26 years.

Unfortunately, Cheri has had to take on another role she never anticipated. At just 43 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced this battle with the same strength and resolve she brings to every aspect of her life, enduring difficult rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and endocrine therapy. We all hoped and prayed that these treatments had worked and that she had beaten the odds. But on August 7th, 2024, our world was shattered when we learned that her cancer treatments were unsuccessful, and she is now facing metastatic breast cancer.

The most common "one size fits all" drug regimens offered have not been able to provide Cheri with the solutions she desperately needs. But ever the fighter, she has not given up. Through extensive research, she has discovered a facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, called Envita Medical Center, which offers an extremely personalized, integrative and cutting-edge approach to treating advanced and complicated cancers. This treatment represents Cheri's best hope for prolonging her future, but it comes with an overwhelming financial burden.

Cheri will need to relocate to Arizona, away from her beloved family, and undergo intensive therapy five days a week for four months. The medical treatment alone is estimated at over $200,000 and is entirely out-of-pocket. On top of this, there will be additional expenses for housing, food, and flights for her family to be by her side during this difficult time. Likely, Cheri will also need follow-up care in the future.

Cheri is deeply loved by her family, friends, and the countless people whose lives she has touched. Her greatest wish is to be here for her children, watch them grow up, and continue being the loving wife, mother, sister, and friend she has always been. It is tough for Cheri and her loved ones to ask for help, but we cannot do this alone. That’s why we are reaching out to you—our friends, family, and community—to ask for your support.

Please consider donating whatever you can to help. If you cannot donate, please share this GoFundMe with anyone who might resonate with Cheri's story. All funds go towards her treatment and care.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity.

The Winiecki/Holmes Families

#HelpCheriThrive #CherisJourney