As a physician, I witness life and death on a daily basis, but nothing prepares you for when someone you care for is fighting for their life. Dawn’s story touches me deeply not only because I see the physical toll cancer takes, but because I’ve seen her journey up close. I’ve seen her bravery, her pain, and her relentless love for her children. This cause is incredibly close to my heart not just as a doctor, but as a human being who knows how precious time, dignity, and support truly are.

In March of last year, our beloved Dawn Olivera received a life-altering diagnosis: stage 4 ovarian cancer. From that moment on, her world and the world of her husband Hector and their three children was turned upside down.

After just her second chemotherapy treatment, Dawn suffered severe complications. She underwent emergency surgery for an ileostomy, where doctors discovered the extent of the damage caused by the cancer and its treatment: her internal organs were fused together, and part of her small intestine was twisted and stuck to itself.

This was only the beginning of an unimaginable journey.

The ileostomy made it nearly impossible for Dawn to absorb food or fluids. She became dangerously malnourished and chronically dehydrated, dropping to just 98 pounds. For five long months, she was mostly bedridden, too weak to stand or walk without help, and even struggling to make it to the bathroom.

In September, Dawn bravely underwent another major surgery to reverse the ileostomy and remove her uterus through a partial hysterectomy. However, doctors were unable to remove her cervix due to its dangerous fusion with her colon.

As Dawn slowly began to recover and regain her strength, tragedy struck again: her mother, who also had ovarian cancer, passed away.

Despite everything, Dawn has shown unimaginable courage, slowly rebuilding herself and caring for her children as best she can. But the fight is far from over.

Just recently, scans revealed heartbreaking news: the cancer is spreading again on her liver, over the surgical site, and throughout her abdomen and peritoneum. To make matters worse, her current treatment is no longer effective and is now taking a serious toll on her bone marrow, platelets, and red blood cells. She is awaiting biopsy results to determine the next possible course of treatment.

Dawn is exhausted physically, emotionally, and financially. She’s fighting every single day just to keep going for her family.

Dawn is the fiercely devoted mother of three beautiful children: Remi (13), Scarlet (8), and River (4). Her younger two are wild-spirited and full of life, which is both a blessing and a deep challenge while Dawn is in treatment and recovery.

And just when the family needed stability the most, Hector, her loving partner and primary caregiver, lost his job.

Why We Need Your Help

Dawn and her family are facing enormous financial strain. The cost of treatment, supportive therapies, medications, supplements, childcare, and basic living needs has become unmanageable, especially with only one income, now lost.

We are asking for your support to help lighten the load in this incredibly heavy time.

Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help cover:

• Medical expenses and treatments

• Supportive therapies, medications, and supplements

• Childcare and household support

• Basic living costs while Hector searches for new employment

• Giving Dawn the chance to focus on healing instead of survival

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your community. Prayers, kind words, and healing intentions are equally appreciated and deeply felt.

Let’s rally around Dawn and her family with the love, care, and support they so deeply need and deserve.

With deep gratitude,

Sharleen

(On behalf of Dawn, Hector, Remi, Scarlet, and River)