This is incredibly difficult for me to write, as asking for help is not something we ever imagined we would have to do. But we need help to keep our home. After a cancer diagnosis, ongoing health challenges, and a sudden increase in our mortgage beyond our control, we are facing financial strain we cannot overcome alone. Last year, our mortgage payment increased significantly due to rising property taxes and an escrow shortage. The sudden jump in our monthly payment added pressure we were not prepared for, and we have been doing everything we can to protect the home that means so much to us. This is the first home we have ever owned. It’s an older house and far from perfect, but to us it has been everything. It has been our safe place, our comfort, and our joy through difficult seasons. We are grateful every day to wake up here.

As a single mother raising two young children, I worked hard for many years to provide for us, often with little left to save. Living in New York, owning a home simply was not within reach, so I took a leap of faith and started a new chapter where that dream could become reality. Owning a home has been one of the most meaningful things in my life. The gratitude my family and I feel is something I can’t fully put into words. Even before my cancer diagnosis, I had been living with chronic health issues that made steady work difficult. I have always tried to do what I could within my limits, and for a time we managed with what we had. I spent years going through the disability process, and although I was eventually approved for SSI, the amount turned out to be much lower than I expected. The way the program is structured also makes it difficult to earn even a little extra without losing part of the benefit, which has made it hard to find a steady balance. In 2023, I was diagnosed with an extramedullary plasmacytoma, a rare cancer in which a plasma-cell tumor forms outside the bone marrow. The tumor was in my abdomen, and I went through 12 weeks of radiation. Unfortunately, the treatment did not eliminate the cancer, and I continue to live with the effects of both the illness and the treatment. Because this diagnosis is rare, we are working carefully with my doctors to understand what options may come next. For now, we are taking things one step at a time.

During this time, my daughter Liz left her established jobs in New York to come home and support me. She also lives with epilepsy, which means she cannot drive, making it difficult to find work that is both stable and accessible. She was fortunate to find two positions here, including one at the local elementary school within walking distance and another as a behavior therapist nearby after school. She is doing everything she can to help us hold on to our beloved home and the sense of security it provides. This fundraiser is in Liz’s name because she has taken on so much to keep our household steady while I continue doing what I can within my limitations. The funds will go toward our most urgent expenses and help ease the financial pressure we are facing.

Your support will help us regain stability and, in the best case, allow us to remain in the home that has meant so much to us. Even if that is not possible, your kindness would give us the time and space to move forward without the fear of foreclosure. Every donation, every share, and every kind thought reminds us that we are not alone. We are deeply grateful for your compassion and support during this time.