Whales Before Pearly Gates; Any help appreciated

I’m writing to ask for your help—not to fund a cruise, but simply to make one already gifted to me possible. I have been given an unexpected opportunity: a promotional voucher for a free cruise through Holland America, Carnival, or Princess cruise lines. It was a small miracle in a season of difficulty. The only cost remaining is $485 in taxes and port fees—an amount that feels insurmountable on my fixed disability income .

This cruise isn’t about luxury. It’s about a long-held dream—to see the whales.

I had always hoped to save for an Alaskan cruise after retiring, but life changed. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the lung, with metastasis to the brain and bones. As a terminal cancer patient, I now live in three-month increments, each scan determining if I have another season left. Chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted treatments shape my days, but I refuse to let them define my spirit.

I don’t want to spend what time I have left simply waiting for decline. I still have dreams. I still have hope. I still want to see beauty beyond hospital rooms and pill bottles. Watching whales crest through the ocean would not just fulfill a lifelong wish—it would remind me that life is still worth celebrating, even as it nears its close.

This cruise departs from San Diego, avoiding the need for a passport. My traveling companion would be my 20-year-old chihuahua—my constant comfort and emotional support. My children, knowing how much this means to me, have encouraged me to take the holiday cruise over New Year’s, even though it may be our last one apart.

But without help covering the port fees and taxes, I’ll have to let this opportunity go. I'm not asking for the cost of a cruise. I just asking for the last step to make a donated gift usable.

Thank you so much for your help, if you can. And, if not, would you mind sharing on your Facebook page? Perhaps, a number of $10 gifts will help me get there.

Thanks again! Karen Nell Croom Graf