My heart aches just writing these words. Our beautiful friend Tricia was diagnosed with aggressive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 3C (spread to lymph nodes) breast cancer in May. She has chosen to remain private and focus on her healing over the last several months. She and Steve have been traveling to Georgia for treatment, where she recently finished chemotherapy. She will return for surgery in early December and begin radiation after the first of the year. She is facing this fight with incredible strength and courage, but as we all know, cancer takes a toll—emotionally, physically, and financially. Between medical expenses, treatments, travel to treatment, everyday essentials that don’t pause for cancer, and time away from work, Steve, Boots (her puppy), and Daisy (her horse), things have been tough. Anyone who knows Tricia knows she is the last person to ask for help. While Bridget and I want to respect her desire for privacy, we want to offer as much support as possible so she can fight with strength and hope. We’re starting this GoFundMe to rally around her so she can focus on healing, not expenses. Pitch in what you can—no donation is too small. If you can give, please know your support is helping one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever known. If you aren’t able to give right now, we understand; please send her love and encouragement on this page and share this GoFundMe on your social media accounts. I will try to update this page as she goes through treatment and is comfortable sharing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing her she’s not on this long road alone.

Please make sure you click “one-time donation” unless you want to make a monthly donation.

This fundraiser is being coordinated by Deb (Alexander) Gilliland and Bridget (Mattingly) Brown, longtime friends of Tricia and Steve.