The hardest thing I’ve ever had to write

On April 12, 2023, Claudia Shephard, complained of a sudden onset of debilitating back pain. She was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. It’s a diagnosis that has battered us as a family but has not broken our determination to fight it. 

As a loving wife to MS survivor, Howard, cherished mother to Justin and Jonathan with wife Charita, beautiful daughter of Ethel, and joyful grandmother to Zuri and Houston, she has touched countless lives through her 40 years as a teacher and social worker. 

It is our hope and prayer that she is able to continue being in our world.

Why We Need to Raise Funds

As most people know, costs for cancer treatments run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our portion of costs for the initial consultation for treatment alone is $17,500. Before that treatment can commence, Claudia must be discharged from her current emergency hospitalization that is also incurring extensive costs. She must meet the goals for pain management prior to release; however, this is our second week of fighting without reaching that prerequisite. Since she is unable to continue working, bills are steadily mounting. 

We are hoping to raise enough money to cover immediate medical needs and begin treatment asap. We humbly ask you to consider donating to this cause and help save the life of someone who has touched so many others. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

 - The Shephard Family