Support for Badass Barbie - Fighting Breast Cancer (Again)

Support for Badass Barbie – Fighting Rare Breast Cancer (Again)

Hello everyone,

We are reaching out to ask for your support, prayers, and love for our incredible mom, Barb. Many of you know her as Badass Barbie, a name she’s earned through her strength, her grit, and her unwavering spirit.

In November 2024, Barb received devastating news: a diagnosis of Grade 3, Stage 2 Triple Negative Metaplastic Carcinoma—a very rare and aggressive type of breast cancer.

This is not her first battle. In 2015, she was diagnosed with another rare cancer—Periductal Stromal Sarcoma—and after fighting hard, she was cancer-free for 9 years. Doctors believe the two may be connected, but because of their rarity, much is still unknown. What we do know is that this current diagnosis is aggressive and comes with a high risk of recurrence or spreading in the years ahead. She will need ongoing monitoring and treatment for a long time.

Since discovering the tumor in late October, Barb has undergone two surgeries, numerous scans, and second opinions from UNC Chapel Hill. She began chemo just before Christmas and continues to receive weekly treatments—only five more to go. After chemo, she’ll start radiation treatments based on a plan being finalized by her team at UNC.

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Barb has remained strong, rarely complains, and has continued working full time when possible—even on days when it’s a serious struggle. Recently, she’s also faced complications with her heart and lungs, leading to more tests and concerns about long-term impacts.

One of the biggest hurdles right now is the cost of care. In November, she paid her full out-of-pocket maximum for her 2024 insurance. And because her plan year resets on June 1, 2025, she’ll face another full round of out-of-pocket costs—on top of the uncovered testing (like genetic mapping and tumor profiling) that’s already added up.

We are hoping to ease the burden for our mom, so she can focus on healing—not finances.

Funds will go directly toward:

1. 2024 out-of-pocket insurance costs already paid (currently on credit cards)

2. 2025 out-of-pocket insurance maximum (plan resets in June)

3. Deductibles, co-pays, and uncovered medical bills

4. Genetic and tumor profiling tests not covered by insurance

5. Holistic/integrative therapies to improve her long-term outcome

6. Income lost on days she can’t work and has no PTO left

Our mom is one of the strongest, kindest, most selfless people we know. She shows up for everyone around her—and now, we want to show up for her.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will help ease her path forward. And if you’re unable to donate, we completely understand—please consider sharing this campaign and keeping her in your prayers.

Let’s surround her with love, light, and hope so she can focus on what matters most: her peace and healing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With love and gratitude,

Hannah, Isabella & Nicholas