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My name is Allie, and I’m creating this fundraiser for my sister, Sara, a 38-year-old single mom of two little boys (ages 9 and 6).
This past spring, Sara was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood cancer called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. It typically affects men over 65, making Sara’s case — a young woman with this cancer — a one-in-a-million diagnosis.
When she heard the words “you have cancer,” her first thoughts weren’t about herself, but about her boys. She is determined to see them grow up, become adults, and live their lives — and she refuses to let cancer take that away from her.
Sara’s Journey So Far
- In the months leading up to her diagnosis, Sara was visiting specialist after specialist — ENT, rheumatologist, immunologist, oncologist — enduring countless blood tests, two CT scans, a PET scan, and a biopsy.
- During this time, she was unemployed due to a layoff from her nonprofit job and was covering bills and medical costs from her savings.
- To make things harder, her young son broke his arm, requiring ER visits and a children’s hospital procedure — all while she was out of work.
When the cancer was finally discovered, her doctor told her they needed to start chemotherapy right away — but her blood levels were so dangerously high that she had to first undergo several rounds of plasmapheresis (a type of plasma dialysis) in the hospital, along with a bone marrow biopsy.
Sara spent three days in the hospital, missing her 6-year-old’s kindergarten graduation and a friend’s wedding — moments she’ll never get back. Three days later, she went straight from the hospital to her oncologist to begin her first round of chemotherapy.
From May through October, she has continued chemo with the hope of remission. However, her most recent test results showed that her numbers are still above what doctors hoped for. We’re remaining optimistic that they’ll improve before her next PET scan and blood work, but she may need to continue maintenance treatments for up to two more years.
While there is no cure for this cancer, the goal is to keep it in remission as long as possible — and Sara is doing everything she can to make that happen.
Why We’re Asking for Help
Cancer has brought overwhelming challenges:
- The emotional toll of knowing this disease will be lifelong.
- The physical toll of chemo treatments.
- And the financial toll of hospital stays, diagnostic tests, scans, ongoing chemo, prescriptions, and copays.
As a single mom, Sara carries all of this on her shoulders while raising her two boys. She never asks for help — she has always put others first, both in her family and her work in nonprofits. But now, she needs us.
The funds raised here will help cover:
- Hospital bills from her stay and procedures
- Diagnostic tests and scans leading up to her diagnosis
- Chemo treatments and copays
- Prescriptions and ongoing medical costs
- A small savings buffer for future medical expenses
A Note from Sara
“I hate asking for help. But having a cancer diagnosis is hard enough. Going through it as a mom is even harder. The emotional toll is hard enough. The physical toll is hard enough. If I could take away one layer of stress — the financial burden — it would mean the world to me. Any little bit helps, and I will be forever grateful.”
How You Can Help
- Donate if you can — every dollar truly makes a difference.
- Share this fundraiser with friends, family, and on social media.
Together, we can help lighten Sara’s load so she can focus on the fight ahead and on what matters most: being there for her boys.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sara Klingman
Beneficiary