If you’re from Harlan, Kentucky or Richmond, Kentucky, chances are you know Angel — or you’ve felt her impact even if you don’t realize it. She is someone who consistently shows up for our community, supporting small businesses, uplifting local causes, and using her voice to help others without ever asking for anything in return. Angel also works in the medical field at St. Joe Hospital in Lexington, where caring for people isn’t just her job — it’s who she is.

At only 29 years old, Angel has been diagnosed with breast cancer. This diagnosis has turned her world upside down, bringing with it a long journey of treatments, appointments, and recovery. While she does have insurance, the reality is that the out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer care are still overwhelming. While battling cancer, many women must also navigate an inequitable financial reality. Vital services such as fertility preservation, egg freezing, fertility treatments, scalp-cooling therapy like DigniCap, and certain mastectomy expenses are commonly deemed “nonessential” by insurance providers, leaving patients responsible for costs that can reach into the thousands. Between medical bills, travel to and from treatments, medications, and day-to-day living expenses, the financial strain quickly becomes enormous.

This GoFundMe has been created by friends and loved ones to help lighten that load so Angel can focus on healing. Donations will help cover medical expenses not fully covered by insurance, travel costs, groceries and meals, and basic necessities — even things as simple as comfortable clothing to wear during chemo treatments and recovery days. These are the things people don’t always think about, but they matter deeply when you’re fighting cancer.

Harlan & Richmond are communities that takes care of its own, and Angel has taken care of so many of us. Now it’s our turn to surround her with the same love, generosity, and support she has always given so freely. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a difference, and sharing this fundraiser means just as much. Thank you for showing up for Angel and reminding her that she is not facing this fight alone.