Help Support my dear Friend,—Breast Cancer sucks!

Shardell and I met during the summer of 2004 in California where we were both helping with a youth service program on a military base. She was from Ohio and I was from Iowa. We connected through the program and stayed friends. Over the years each of us has lived in different parts of the U.S., but never close enough to visit each other regularly.  However, have been able to maintain our friendship through phone, mail, and social media. Although there has been some distance between us, Shardell has always been good at staying in touch and being present for important events in my life. She is a very special friend and that is why I have set up this Go Fund Me on her behalf.

If you know or have had the pleasure of meeting Shardell you would know that she has a “glow” to her. She has an amazing personality, always has people laughing and smiling, and is beyond thoughtful!  She would do anything to help her friends, family, and even strangers. Whenever I talk to her or can meet up with her, she is always doing kind things for people and thinking of ways to help others. Shardell is a compassionate, caring, hardworking woman with a beautiful soul.  She would give the shirt off her back to be there in support of others, but now it is our time to support her.

 Shardell was hit extra hard in 2020 with a lot for any one person to tackle on their own. Right before most cities were shutting down last year she lost the job she had moved across the country for. Due to her circumstances, she started working two part-time jobs after tirelessly job searching for full-time employment, so she could at least pay her bills.  Unfortunately, this left her in the middle ground and she lacked full-time employment, but she was making too much for public assistance.  This left her without adequate health insurance.

She didn’t share with me or her other close friends or family that during this summer she had found a lump in her breast. Due to her family history, she knew deep down it was not good news. She kept her spirits up but, anxiously waited until she was able to access some resources to have her mammogram.

Unfortunately, Shardell was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer, and to save her life she will undergo a very aggressive treatment regimen of chemotherapy, double mastectomy, additional surgeries, and radiation.  My friend has a long road of treatments ahead of her and she remains in good spirits and has a positive outlook. She is determined to tackle this head-on!
I am happy to report that just a few weeks ago she had the opportunity to ring her bell and she completed chemotherapy. Her tumor shrunk significantly! Her next step was to get her surgery scheduled and move on the next part of her journey. 
This is where we all can help ----- although Shardell continued to work throughout her chemotherapy, regardless of the side effects she experienced, after surgery, she will not be able to work during the recovery period.  She needs assistance with her expenses.  Assistance is not something she would ever ask for, but she has exhausted all of her options.     

If you are able and willing to donate anything (no donation is too small), please do. It would mean the world to me to get Shardell some financial relief. Any donations received will go to fund her current medical costs and her living expenses while she is recovering from surgery and is unable to work.

 It would also mean a lot if you could share this link. The more exposure to get Shardell the help she needs the better! Thank you so much for anything you can do and for taking the time to read this.