My name is Amy, and I’m reaching out during the most challenging time of my life. On October 2, 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. The news turned my world upside down, but I’ve been doing my best to keep moving forward and find hope wherever I can.
Earlier that year, I was given a chance at stability when I was gifted a house that had been empty for 17 years. The agreement was that if I could pay the 2025 property taxes, the house would be mine. I poured my heart and savings into making this place a home, but things haven’t gone as planned. A contractor I trusted took my money and left me with a poorly done roof, and the house still needs electrical work, new windows, and painting. Now, the city is pressuring me to make repairs, and I simply don’t have the resources to keep up.
On top of this, I am in desperate need of a reliable vehicle. My old car is broken down beyond repair, and as someone new to the area, I have no established support system. I’ve been walking to appointments and struggling to find rides, which makes it nearly impossible to get to my jobs—most of which are out of town. My small business is my lifeline: I do house cleaning, yard work, snow removal, furniture assembly, and painting. I like to say I’m a "jack of all trades, master of nothing." Most of my customers are elderly, not skilled at manual home labor, or financially struggling. I try to help others, don’t charge much, and have turned many one-time customers into repeat clients who know they can call me for anything.
Having a safe home and a reliable work vehicle would mean everything to me as I face this diagnosis. Your support would help me pay the property taxes, make the repairs needed to finally have a place to call my own, and get back on the road so I can keep working and helping others. I’m hoping to beat this and continue being a smile people can count on—a reminder of what genuine kindness looks like. Thank you for reading my story and for considering a donation or sharing my fundraiser.