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Hi all, Abby here <3 I’ve set up this fundraiser for my mom, Charity — a resilient, self-reliant, hard-working nurse who was just diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in July 2025, about a week before she turned 54.
The good news: Her cancer is localized (as far as we know at this point) and very treatable. She’s been referred and scheduled for a double mastectomy in August.
The bad news: She’ll need to use all her PTO for part of her 3-week recovery after the surgery, and her employer’s medical leave will not kick in soon enough to cover her lost income during her recovery time. Additionally, we are navigating a complex and limited-coverage insurance situation — and the co-pays are quickly stacking up when we manage to find a provider that accepts my mom’s insurance.
All my friends call my mom, “Mom”
My mom is my example of strength, warmth and connection. She’s a Filipino American immigrant who took her destiny into her hands by raising four kids while going to nursing school so she could better provide for her family. My mom is hilarious, ridiculous, sharp, down to earth and kind.
She’s spent her life taking care of her friends, family, church community and her elderly patients, providing a smile, care and company during some of their last years. And though she never asks for help, now she needs care for herself.
The need/funds will go toward
- Charity’s lost wages during recovery time from her surgery. My mom fully financially supports her household, and critically relies on her wages from her full-time nursing job to pay for her mortgage, bills, groceries, medications, etc.
- Easing the financial burden of her double mastectomy surgery, which is critical to stopping the cancer from spreading.
- Paying for other treatment costs, copays, medical supplies, prescriptions, etc. so that the surgery leads to a full recovery.
- Unforeseen, additional medical costs. All signs currently indicate that the cancer is localized, but additional biopsies and outcomes from her first surgery will reveal whether there is any additional cancer in other areas (such as the lymph nodes) or if chemotherapy is needed post-surgery.
Whether you contribute whatever you’re able to or share this page with your connections, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Abby, Rachel, Danny and Muriel (who made this sweet video tribute to my mom)