My name is Mary Lee, and last August my best friend of 31 years, Teressia, called me with devastating news — she had lung cancer, and was placed in hospice care.

From the very start, I knew I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines. Her husband couldn’t afford to take off work to care for her, and hiring a caregiver was beyond their means. So my husband and I made the decision that I would leave my home in New Mexico and come to Tennessee to be by her side.

That was nearly a year ago

I have been here — making sure she’s safe, comfortable, and cared for — so that she and her husband could have one less worry during the hardest chapter of their lives.

I have been home only twice in the past year. Once at Christmas and then in February, I went home briefly to care for my own husband after he had total knee revision surgery at the VA hospital in Albuquerque. Since then, I have not been able to travel back to New Mexico to see my husband. We even spent our 21st wedding anniversary apart because there was no way to provide care for Teressia while I was gone.

I recently learned that her insurance doesn’t cover respite care, which is a 5-night stay in a nursing home, so that the caregiver can have a break.

For me to be able to make a trip to see my husband, we need to either hire a sitter or place her in a nursing facility temporarily, so that she has the care she needs while I am away.

Why I’m Asking for Help:

Your donation would help cover the cost of private care for Teressia while I travel back to New Mexico I can visit my husband.

This would mean the world to me — and to him — after so many months apart.

This year has been full of sacrifice, love, and faith. I would do it all again for my best friend. I love her.

But I also long for the chance to hold my husband’s hand and reconnect after so much time apart.

If you can help in any way — even the tiniest donation is greatly appreciated.

We all know money is tight right now, and small amounts can add up quick or by sharing this campaign — We are deeply grateful.

I have done the best I can for my best friend this past year. I’ve been away from my home and my husband for almost a year to care for her.

Every bit brings me one step closer to home, even just for a few days.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Mary Lee and Teressia