As many of you know, my mom passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

She had been fighting leukemia for two decades. Mom was first diagnosed when I was in third grade and underwent chemotherapy then and again in 2016. In 2019, she started a trial drug and stayed on it until 2022. Last year, in 2024, her cancer returned. Mom made the brave decision to forego further interventions, prioritizing her quality of life over aggressive treatments that had taken such a toll on her.

In May, we learned that the cancer had metastasized, and she was placed on hospice care.

My mom and I have always lived together. She wasn’t just my mother but also my best friend, my partner in crime, and my entire world. For years, I dedicated my life to being her caretaker, and in her final months, that became my full-time role.

In those last months, Mom’s health declined significantly. Although hospice provided some support, their visits were limited, and we couldn’t afford the additional help we desperately needed. I stepped away from work several times to prioritize her care and eventually had to stop working altogether.

In her final 10 days, it was just the three of us: Mom, myself, and Aaron. I managed all of her care—charting medications, administering them around the clock, and ensuring she was as comfortable as possible.

Now, I am left grieving the greatest loss of my life while also facing the financial toll of being her sole caretaker. The expenses from this journey have added up, and we need help with bills.

I’m asking, in lieu of flowers or gifts, for any monetary support you can provide. Every dollar will go toward paying overdue bills, keeping the lights on, and giving me the time to process, grieve, and—for the first time in my life—focus on my own well-being.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for any support you can give during this difficult time.