Hi, my name is Julie Thoma and Kristen is my younger sister. A few months ago she was diagnosed with melanoma. This was ironic, because anyone who knows her, knows that she avoids the sun at all costs!

Kristen is single mom with 2 awesome kids (a 12 year old and a 4 year old), a long time preschool teacher, and a part time student that just finished her associates degree in Early Childhood Education and is working on her Bachelor’s. Kristen is smart, caring, a little bit fiery and she would do anything for the people in her life, especially her kids. I have no idea how she does it all - she’s superhuman.

Kristen has always had to do things herself. She works hard to provide for her children and build her family. Her passion is working with kids and she would like to be an elementary counselor. She wants to promote diversity and equity in education. Kids absolutely adore her. She’s fantastic at her job and has been recognized many times for her excellence as an early childhood educator.

She had just earned her associates from The University of Cincinnati and had started on her bachelors when she was diagnosed with vulvar melanoma. She went through 2 surgeries and a round of chemotherapy. She tried to work as much as she could, but she had to take a lot of days off when she couldn’t physically take care of her 2 year old students.

Unfortunately, preschool teacher salary is less than a living wage and their health care plan covers the bare minimum. She’s responsible, but didn’t have enough money to cover her medical bills. All the money she saved (for years) to buy a house - gone. All the budgeting and planning she had done to stay out of debt was wiped away when the medical bills started rolling in.

Today, she is back to work, back to school, and back to saving to buy a home. Except now, she is burdened with overwhelming medical debt. Cancer & chemo didn’t stop her (she is now in remission!) but it’s still slowing her down. Her preschool teacher salary doesn’t stretch far enough.

I think it causes her physical pain to ask other people for help… she has always done everything for everyone and always does it all on her own. SO HERE I AM doing it for her. If you feel so inclined to help someone today, help her! Give a little or share this post!