Cancer -

It's not a word anyone wants to hear - especially not just before turning 30.

Our little sister, and favorite Auntie Caitlin, was faced with that heavy word last month.

What started as unusual cramping and pain, quickly turned into several tests, scans and uncomfortable procedures in the course of a month.

She had learned she has low-grade serous ovarian cancer, all in the month of September - ovarian cancer awareness month.

Just three days after her 30th birthday, she underwent major surgery to remove a large tumor and affected organs. The surgery was a success in removing much of the cancer, but post-surgery results confirmed stage 4 disease.

Despite the diagnosis, Caitlin and our family remain full of hope. Her doctors are pursuing an aggressive treatment plan aimed at a cure, beginning with chemotherapy in the coming weeks.

After spending time in the ICU and over a week in the hospital, Caitlin is now home, focusing on recovery and preparing for the next course of treatment.

Through it all, one thing that this heavy word, 'cancer', hasn't shaken, is her faith; an uplifting word of trust and belief.

She has faith, as do we all, that she will overcome this journey. And we invite you all to share in our thoughts, prayers and wishes for her strength, resilience, healing and perseverance through this battle with cancer.

We'd like to help her focus on doing just that while she takes an unknown amount of time off of work, without worry of financial burden and ask for your support in blessing her with that gift.

So in honor of her 30th birthday , we're aiming to raise $30k - to help cover current and future medical expenses, treatment costs and time away from work.

Any funds raised beyond her needs will be donated to ovarian cancer research in honor of her fight and to help those facing the same battle.

Join us in lifting Caitlin up with your support, faith and love.

-The Raether's, Ravenwood & Jones family