My name is Dylan Gardner, and I’m reaching out to share my mother’s story—a woman who has faced unimaginable challenges this past year with incredible strength, but who now needs our help to keep going.

In April 2024, our world turned upside down when Mom was airlifted for emergency surgery. What started as a terrifying moment became the beginning of a year filled with trials. While she fought to recover, she never stopped being the rock for our family—especially for two of her grandchildren, whom she’s raising with all the love and care she has to give.

But the hits kept coming. In August, we received devastating news: Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Shockingly, it had been missed on scans from her April hospital stay. Despite this blow, she faced it head-on, balancing her own health with the needs of her family. Then, in late September, Hurricane Helene ravaged our community, leaving her home severely damaged and forcing her to displace. With everything she’d already been through, losing the stability of her home felt like too much to bear.

Mom started chemotherapy and immunotherapy shortly at Duke Cancer Center after her diagnosis, but after the first round, we learned it wasn’t as effective as we’d hoped. Now, she’s preparing for more chemotherapy and radiation at Duke, all while trying to piece her life back together. The medical bills are piling up, the cost of temporary housing is overwhelming, and the repairs to her home feel out of reach. Yet through it all, she keeps fighting—for herself, and for our family.

That’s why I’m turning to you. We’re raising funds to help cover her medical expenses, support her through her upcoming treatments, and get her back into a safe, stable home. Every little bit helps—whether it’s a donation, a share, or just a kind word to lift her spirits.

Mom has always been there for us, and now it’s our turn to be there for her. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any support you can offer. Together, we can help her through this storm and into brighter days.

With gratitude,

Dylan