Hi our names are Victoria & Aaron Yacks,

After a lot of hesitation, calculations and weight of pros and cons, we have realized that we are in a spot where we need to ask for help. We are not use to asking for help, as we are both very stubborn when it comes to this kind of thing.

On the weekend of August 2nd, 2025, I found a small lump in my breast that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. I called my doctor’s office first thing the following business day. I managed to get scheduled in on August 7th, 2027 to see the NP in the office, who passed the lump off as hormonal.

On August 14, 2026, I went back in to see my family doctor and ended up seeing a resident. The resident also claimed it didn’t feel like anything to worry about, but did put in a request for an ultrasound. Not long after we received the call to book an ultrasound, but the call dropped and no additional attempt from our hospital was made, nor was the voicemail I left returned.

Duri the Christmas holidays that year, I noticed that the lump had grown massively since August ‘25. Now in a higher state of panic over this lump I waited to call my family doctor after the holidays.

I finally got in on February 8th, 2026 with my family doctor. Not a nurse practitioner, not a resident, but my actual family doctor. I decided that morning I would wear a fitted top without a bra to my appointment, because by this point the mass was so large that to could be clearly seen through my shirt by just looking at the contour of my chest. This was when my doctor saw the lump, and didn’t hesitate to get me in for an ultrasound (Feb 10th), phone call appointment to confirm the suspicious mass (Feb 27th), and a biopsy (March 27th).

On April 1st, 2026, our family’s world tilted. At just 37 years old, I, Victoria Yacks, wife to Aaron and devoted stay-at-home mom to Jamie, AJ, and Isabella, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.

Since that life changing diagnosis, I have been facing an incredibly difficult road filled with intense chemotherapy treatments, Immunotherapy trestments, appointments, uncertainty, exhaustion, and the emotional weight that comes with fighting cancer while still trying to be Mom every day.

And this fight isn’t over.

I currently have 2 more chemotherapy treatments, and then I’m waiting to hear when I will undergo a double mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction, followed by a long period of recovery of about 3 months and another year of immunotherapy. While we are hopeful and determined to get through this, the reality is that cancer has affected every part of our family’s life.

I have always poured myself into my family.

As a stay-at-home mom, my days have revolved around taking care of Jamie, AJ, and Isabella, supporting Aaron where I, managing our home, and being there for the people I love.

I also built something of my own with Pets & Pads, my small family-run pet sitting and dog walking business, that my children have been apart of as well.

But cancer changed everything.

Because of this diagnosis and ongoing treatments, I had no choice but to put Pets & Pads on hold for the most part until I’m fully recovered. My priority right now has to be getting through treatment, preparing for surgery, healing, and getting back on my feet.

The financial reality

While I focus on fighting cancer, Aaron is continuing to work to support our family.

This has not been easy on him either. With Aaron having to work full time and out of the country 5+ days a week, it has taken a toll on his health as well.

But the upcoming surgery and recovery will require Aaron to take time away from work so he can step into a larger role at home—caring for the children, helping me through my recovery, and keeping our household going while I heal.

That means our family is facing not only the physical and emotional challenges of cancer, but also the financial strain that comes with one parent being unable to work and the other needing to take time away from work to provide care.

There are everyday expenses that don't stop simply because someone has cancer.

Groceries. Household bills. Transportation to appointments. Medical and recovery-related expenses. Childcare and family needs. And the countless unexpected costs that come with months of treatment, surgery, and recovery.

This is where we need your help

We are asking our family, friends, community, and anyone who feels moved by our story to please consider helping us carry some of this burden.

Your donation will help provide our family with financial breathing room while I concentrates on the most important job of all: healing.

Funds raised will help with:

No donation is too small.

A $10 donation matters.

A $25 donation matters.

A $50 donation matters.

And if donating isn't possible, sharing this fundraiser may be just as meaningful.

Help our family rise from the ashes

Aaron and I have spent our lives taking care of everyone around us.

Now, it's our turn to reach out for help.

I’ve had a long road since the beginning and still a ways to go, but I know I don’t have to walk it alone because I have my family and friends here with me.

We want me to be able to focus on getting through chemotherapy, facing surgery, healing, and eventually returning home to the life I love—being Mom, being Aaron's wife, and hopefully one day returning to the little business I worked so hard to build.

Our greatest hope is that when we look back on this chapter, we remember not only the fear and uncertainty of cancer, but also the incredible number of people who stood beside me and my family.

Please consider donating, sharing, praying, sending positive thoughts, or simply helping us spread my story.

Every act of kindness means more to our family than we can put into words.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Victoria, Aaron, Jamie, AJ, and Isabella Yacks

Thank you for standing with our family during the fight of our lives.

#TeamVictoria #VictoriaStrong #FightLikeAVictoria #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #CancerWarrior #FamilyFirst #HelpVictoriaFight