We never get to understand why the most amazing people are given the hardest battles to fight. What we do know is Billie took on that battle with a determination that will forever shine. For those who didn't know Billie, the struggle she and her family have been through over the past few years or the exceptional person she was pull up a chair. She valiantly fought AML, one of the most aggressive and deadly of csncers, for over 3 1/2 years. She fought with vigor and decided to use her battle to do what she always did, help people. When most of us would crumble and given in, she stood strong. She fought to bring awareness and education from her personal journey in hopes to lessen the burden for others. She felt it was important for people to have an understanding and become bone marrow donors so that others may live. She was the most selfless person you could ever meet.

She was clearly born to be a mother, she was amazing at it. She was the foundation of her family. A mother and wife. It was always inspiring seeing the things she would do with her sons. She was involved in everything with them, school events, celebrations, building Lego with them, she never wasted a moment. She was the same as a wife. She was a true partner with Armando, the perfect blend of support and shenanigans with those two. As soon as we walked in you got a warm hug from Billie (and the strangle hug from Rod). Every holiday there home was decorated to perfection, amazing home cooked meals that had to take forever and a day to prepare. The true feeling of family that was a reminder of gatherings from our childhood. She was in the spirit of every holiday as well as every moment. Each and every one of us should try to learn to live by the example she set as best we can. Pray for her family as they learn to live a new life as she watches over them. Know that she didn’t loose her fight against cancer, she accepted the lord calling her home to her new role in heaven. I bet she is there to meet all of us with an amazing hug and a meal to match.

Cancer isn't cheap. Tricare only covers so much, and many of her treatments were NOT covered at all. Financially, this devastated them, but what choice do you have when you are trying to save your person? Now, after losing his wife of almost 30 years and crushing debt, Armando must find a way to afford to lay her to rest.

I want to help Rod not just cover the cost of Billie's funeral but help him relieve his financial burden. For those of you who don't know Armando (aka Rod), he was medically retired after serving over 20 years in the Army in service to our great nation. Billie and his sons were the only things he loved more than the Army, and he would probably still be in if he hadn't been hurt while deployed. I can't imagine him pushing another 20 just to settle this debt.

I ask you, my family, friends, fellow service members, and even strangers to place yourself in his and his family's shoes. Find it within yourself to donate what you can. It doesn't have to be a lot. Every little bit makes a difference when we do it as a community. I won't ask anyone to do something I'm not willing to do myself, so let me be the first.

Cancer sucks and does more than just take your loved ones from you. Please help me help my brother.