I was a fan before I was her friend. Now I am both. If you've ever met Karlee Meyer, this should be a familiar sentiment.

Seven years ago, I heard of a woman in my community that chased off an intruder with a stick, took his car keys and held him until the police arrived. I had to meet her, she was my hero and meeting her was not a disappointment. She is a real life, no nonsense, superhero and my best friend.

As many of you know, Karlee is now facing a battle with cancer. In true Karlee fashion, while most of us were processing the news of the diagnosis, she had posted publicly on Facebook and was ten steps ahead of all of us, consulting experts and trying on wigs. She is leading by example, even in her fight against cancer.

My bet is on Karlee and against cancer. I know that she will be the warrior that we all know, love and respect . Her strength, faith and support system including her family, friends and this community will get her through this. She is going to need our help and our strength, #fightlikekarlee. The fire fighters wrote, "Karlee’s strength is felt throughout our community because she never backs down until she finishes what she starts. " https://www.facebook.com/hemetfirefighters/posts/5720948797946845

We don't know all of the plans yet for treatment but we do know they will be costly.

I am asking for your help with medical expenses, to relieve her and her family of some of the financial burden, so that she can focus on fighting this cancer. Karlee is a strong-willed woman of action. She has no trouble rallying help for others, but would never ask it for herself. Convincing her wasn't easy but reluctantly she knows she needs support for the battle that is to come. We must follow these legal conditions:

Since Karlee is an elected official and insists that everything is done according to guidelines, there are some rules for giving. The maximum gift amount is $520 in a calendar year, anything over $520 will be refunded. Please do not donate if you intend on having city council vote on any matter in the next 12 months . Since I am the organizer, I will see any anonymous gifts and all gifts over $50 will be documented according to FPPC requirements.

We can fight like Karlee, for Karlee, for everything she has done for us personally and everything she has done for this community. #fightlikekarlee #karleestrong #myhero