In June, I turn 50 years old. And this year, after years of sacrifice, hard work, long shifts, setbacks, and determination, I earned my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Purdue University Global. This journey did not come easy. I worked while pursuing my education, pushed through exhaustion, and continued moving forward because I believed it was never too late to build a better future for myself.

I had responsibly saved the money needed to attend graduation and walk across the stage. But life changed unexpectedly. A serious injury required surgery, which caused lost wages and financial strain during recovery. Around the same time, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my 19-year-old dog—a companion who had been part of my life for nearly two decades. That grief has been one of the hardest emotional experiences I have ever faced. Between medical expenses, lost income, and end-of-life costs, the savings I had set aside for graduation disappeared.

Now, I am asking for help so I can safely travel to graduation and finally experience the moment I worked so hard to reach. These funds would help cover travel expenses, lodging, food during travel, graduation-related costs, and emergency travel funds for unexpected issues along the way. For some people, graduation is just a ceremony. For me, this represents survival, resilience, healing, and hope. After everything that has happened recently, I truly need this experience—not just to celebrate earning my degree, but to remind myself that even after loss, setbacks, grief, and hardship, there are still meaningful moments ahead worth reaching for. If you can help in any way, whether through a donation or simply sharing this fundraiser, I would be deeply grateful. Thank you for believing in me and helping me reach a moment I have fought incredibly hard for.