Abby's 16th Birthday Car Fund

Abby is turning 16 in a few weeks. 16 years old is a significant milestone for anyone, but Abby is not just anyone. Abby is one of the most remarkable human beings I have ever known, and she has also fought hard to be here for her 16th birthday.

As most of you know, Abby has been through hell and back over the past few years. In October 2020, she started a long and grueling chemo journey for a tumor in her brain. Abby has been through several surgeries, countless rounds of IV and oral chemo, hundreds of blood draws, transfusions, doctors' appointments, fatigue, debilitating migraines, nerve pain, and a whole host of other things that I hate even to think back on. She struggles daily with debilitating migraines, fatigue, and pain. While the chemo worked and the tumor shrunk/is gone now, she will have to constantly live from MRI to MRI, holding her breath with each test to see if the tumor has decided to grow again. She has missed out on so much because of this and has missed out on experiences she won't ever be able to get back.

Abby has shown and continues to show unwavering grace and strength through this entire journey. Her ability to navigate through this horrible journey is nothing short of inspiring. She is my hero, and I feel privileged to have her call me Aunt Sarah. The thing about Abby is that she has no idea how truly awesome she is - despite being told it thousands of times by so many people. I decided when her chemo started that I would make it my mission to do everything I could to encourage her and build her up by telling her how awesome she is and what a truly remarkable human being she is. I have told her that I genuinely believe she can do anything she wants because that kind of strength and internal fire is rare, and I think she will continue to use her experiences to help so many others throughout her life.

So here, in a few weeks, Abby is going to turn 16, and I have been thinking about what would be worthy of someone so incredible. If you asked Abby, she would say that she doesn't need anything for her birthday because that is just who she is. I was thinking 16 years old means driving and a car. Abby has missed out on so much of her teen experience because of this tumor. With her health, she has been unable to have that first job experience to help her save money for her 1st car. While a first job to save money for a car would have undoubtedly been John and Becca's original plan, to help teach their kids the values of working, saving, and responsibility, I think Abby has worked and shown responsibility in a different way. Her first car is something that she could look back on and remember as the beginning of a new journey and the end of the chemo tumor journey. With her health, she has also missed out on that wonderful experience of a first job to help save up money for that 1st car.

I started this fundraiser to collect money for Abby's first car. I would love to be able to give her this gift from all of us because she deserves it so much. She will be learning to drive soon, and I would love her to do it in her car. I will collect the donations and put them together as a gift for her birthday.

When you donate, or even if you cannot donate, please leave or send me a comment, story, thought, memory, or anything else. I will be putting together a scrapbook for her birthday and would love to include all your thoughts and encouraging words.