Fighting to Heal After Cancer Took Everything

Hi, my name is Mariah Gem Osmundson, and I’m asking for help because I’m still fighting — and I can’t do it alone anymore.

I was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer — aggressive and already in my lymph nodes — at an age far younger than most. I have no known family history and no clear reason why this happened. It was terrifying, overwhelming, and completely life-altering.

Since then, I’ve endured chemotherapy, a bilateral full mastectomy, several revision surgeries, and a life-threatening bout of sepsis that landed me in the hospital for a week. I survived it all and now I’m left with a mountain of medical and dental needs, no income, no insurance, and no resources left.

I’ve exhausted my savings, my retirement, and my parents’ savings just to stay alive and sheltered. I’ve lost the ability to work and support myself, and I’m in pain every day.

Chemo broke several of my teeth, including a front tooth that was part of an unfinished root canal. It’s painful, visible, and humiliating. I want to fix it just to feel human again — but I simply can’t afford the care I need.

The funds will be used for the mountain of medical bills, medications, dental needs, as well as rent, food, bills and transportation to doctor visits.

More than anything, I want to return to life. To be part of the world. To contribute, to help others the way I’ve been helped. But right now, I’m stuck. I feel ashamed to ask — but I need help to survive this next chapter.

If you’re able to give anything at all, even a small amount, it truly makes a difference. If you can’t give, sharing this is also a huge help. Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing me.