Help Carolyn Walker's Family!

Hello there, my name is Samantha. I’ve created this page with the hope to help two very important people in my life: Carolyn and Jimmy Walker. Carolyn was my aunt, and mother figure in my life. Jimmy swept my aunt off her feet decades ago and became not only an uncle, but a father to my cousins, and a father figure to my sister Shannon and I as well. Thank you for taking the time to read their story.

After 2 months of doctor visits, CTs and petCTs, bone scans, biopsies, MRI's, and various medical interventions, Carolyn was finally diagnosed with stage 4 small-cell carcinoma. She had been hospitalized for the last month fighting hard against aggressive cancer; battling severe pneumonia, and tachycardia, along with various other symptoms. She required chest catheters to drain her lungs multiple times, pulmonary interventions, and constant oxygen. In the short period she returned home, she required equipment (oxygen tanks, wheelchair, etc.) and a visiting nurse. She also underwent chemotherapy treatment. Her aggressive cancer metastasized and Carolyn declined quickly, eventually being placed in palliative care. This came on strong and unimaginably fast, and 4 weeks after her initial diagnosis, Carolyn passed away. Despite the persistently devastating news, Jimmy wasted no time doing everything he could in the short period he was given to help his wife, and now he needs help.

In 1992, Jimmy left the NYPD to join New York’s Bravest FDNY. A courageous soul who’d run into a 4-alarm fire alone if he knew just one person could be saved. He was a beloved member of the force until 2007 when he suffered multiple herniated discs in a fire engine accident, which required radical discectomy fusion surgery. Due to his injury on the job, he was forced to retire on full disability.

Carolyn and Jimmy, two Brooklyn natives, fell in love and married in 2000, and later welcomed daughter Kathleen and son James into the world. Kathleen is an undergraduate studying mechanical engineering at Binghamton University in NY, with one more year left until graduation. James is finishing his freshman year studying computer science at Saint Lawrence University in Canton, NY. Kathleen and James will be first-generation college graduates, a feat Carolyn and Jimmy worked ferociously to achieve for their children. Both Carolyn and Jimmy came from low-income homes and put their sweat and soul into creating the life they never had for not only their children but for my sister and I as well.

Years ago my father was not present in our life and my single mother struggled. Despite the tight circumstances, Carolyn and Jimmy wasted no time taking us in and giving us a safe and loving home. They are a large part of the reason why we are where we are today.

My Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Jimmy are the heart of our family. Carolyn, youngest of 8 siblings, and Jimmy, aunt and uncle to 25 first nieces and nephews, have opened their home and given a safe refuge to many people in their life throughout the years- no matter the circumstances. They have helped multiple members of the family through tough times, door always open with no questions asked. Carolyn wanted what was best and better for those she loved, and she loved her family fiercely giving everything she could.

Carolyn would host huge holiday parties in their small home just to bring the family together. Jimmy would cook for days to prepare, and doors were open to everyone, often including friends with no place to go. Carolyn and Jimmy are truly the heart and center of our family and friends.

This devastating diagnosis has hurt the cushion Jimmy worked hard to create for himself and his children. Jimmy, a now permanently disabled firefighter, now has aunt Carolyn’s hospital bills on top of his children’s education to concern himself with. He won’t ask for help, but I will. He’s sacrificed much for me and my sister Shannon, a responsibility never required of him. His children worked hard for the scholarships they earned and they deserve to finish their education. I want to make sure that is possible. These funds will be given to him to ease the burden of hospital bills and funeral bills, and hopefully give his children the opportunity to continue their education at the institutions they worked hard to learn from.

I hope I did well to paint a picture of why I am asking for your help. Carolyn and Jimmy have given the shirt off their back more times than they will ever admit. Now it’s my turn to help them in every way I can. Thank you.