We got to know Erica when she led our Family Readiness Group at a Naval Special Warfare Command. She was always the first to step up to help a family in need and now she is the one in need!

Erica and Michael have 4 lovely and active young girls, and after a career in Military Service, Michael finally got to retire to enjoy the good life with his girls. Together they also run several small businesses in Virginia Beach.

Thank you for your support! Please keep Erica and family in prayer.

Erica posted on Facebook...

“No easy way to say it.... I have Cancer... Advanced Melanoma specifically.

This was completely unexpected as I had no health issues other than a lump that showed up in my groin area as I had been losing weight. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer and is no joke. 10 years ago there were no treatments at all really. After speaking to my medical team at the Naval Hospital, I am being seen by a Melanoma Specialist at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. I had my 1st treatment on 2/22/22 and will be going up there monthly for treatments with the hope that Immunotherapy works. This whole thing sucks and has had a deep and profound impact on our family. We are all doing okay on the surface but all have our struggles too. Mental health professionals are non-existant right now, I've been trying to find one since February. I am not good at asking for help but I know my journey ahead will be very difficult and we will need people for support. Please say a prayer for me and my family. I am fighting this cancer from every angle.. Medically... Spiritually and Holistically. I am shocked by the number of people who are directly effected by cancer, we need to find a cure. No one should ever have to tell their kids they have cancer. Hardest thing I have ever done!!!! I plan to post more about my journey so others can both support and learn from my experiences. Melanoma can effect anyone and it comes after you decades after the initial damage is done. I haven't been a "sun" person since my childhood so please protect your kids skin! Use sunblock always and don't think this can't happen to you. Of all the cancers, this is the only one I "knew" I would never get and yet hear I am... Stage 3D with the cancer spread to my Lymph Nodes with no idea it was even happening in my body. I will say God works in crazy ways... had I not decided to get my health in check and lose the weight, I would have never even found it! I’m sorry to be sharing this news this way but just couldn’t do it any other way with everyone’s schedule.”