You don’t have to know someone personally to help save a life. ❤️

My name is Estelle, and I am posting this on behalf of a very dear friend of mine and her family. Michelle is just 44 years old. About six months ago, she discovered a small lump, never imagining that it would lead to a devastating diagnosis: Stage III-C Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of breast cancer.

Complicating her diagnosis are her pre-existing health conditions. In 2015, Michelle was diagnosed with an inoperable left frontal lobe meningioma, a slow-growing benign brain tumor that continues to be monitored.

One of the side effects of chemotherapy is brain swelling. Because Michelle already has a brain tumor, standard chemotherapy could cause serious long-term complications. Another challenge is that Michelle's body is extremely sensitive and she has allergic reactions to many medications and substances.

Due to the fragile nature of her health, and the limited treatment options for TNBC there are only a small number of specialized treatment centers that offer the treatment Michelle needs.

Michelle is now in her seventh week of a 12-week treatment at a specialized treatment center that is 2 ½ hours from home. She needs to stay near the treatment center during the week so she can receive daily treatments, be closely monitored by her medical team, and receive specialized medications to help her tolerate the intense cancer treatments

Most of her treatment is not covered by insurance and they are struggling to keep up with the mounting medical bills, frequent travel to her treatment center and the cost of lodging away from home. The financial burden has become overwhelming. The medical bills have already exceeded $105,000 and the expenses continue to grow. These are expenses no family should have to face while fighting for a loved one’s life.

To keep up with the mounting costs they have taken out a second mortgage on their home which is now maxed out and are relying on credit cards just to keep up with the costs. They have done everything they can to keep moving forward, but the financial strain is becoming more than they can manage.

The treatments are working and the doctors are optimistic she can beat this, the last scan showed her cancer is shrinking. She has to keep going but they are running out of options to pay for the treatments.

No one should ever have to choose between receiving potentially life-saving treatment and being able to afford it. Michelle’s energy needs to be focused on fighting this terrible disease, healing, and getting through each day—not worrying about how she and her family will pay the next medical bill.

Every donation, no matter the amount, can make a difference and sharing her story and this fundraiser with others is so important. You never know whose heart God may touch through your share.

Sometimes a small act of kindness from a stranger can mean more than we will ever know. Please consider being that person for Michelle to help ease a burden that feels impossible for her family right now.❤️

We also ask for your prayers to strengthen Michelle and her family during this very difficult time. She is a woman of strong faith in the Lord and knows the power of prayer. Whether or not you are able to donate, we ask that you please pray for Michelle—for strength throughout this journey and for healing.

Michelle has an incredible gift for making everyone feel welcome. She can walk into a room and make friends instantly with anyone. She has a glow and warmth about her that is truly indescribable. I wish everyone could get the chance to meet her someday.

She has always been the kind of person who would do anything she could to help someone without a second thought. Now, it's her turn to receive the love, support, and help that she so desperately needs.

We are not asking for one person to carry this burden. We are asking many people to help carry it together.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Hebrews 13:16