After Tragic Loss, Support Nikki's Healing and Family

Please help my niece, Nikki

Nikki is a single mom of four and her oldest recently passed away. Ty (Zamere Crawford), my great nephew, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer (glioblastoma) at 18 years old, after a quick-but-long six months he died. Nikki has been unable to work throughout this time. Plus, as you may imagine, money for Ty’s funeral was unplanned and funerals are expensive. This is why we are asking for donations: funeral, monthly bills, kids' needs, and time to heal.

To share a little more, for those who desire, Nikki had Ty as a teen mom. She, him, and then his sister (who came a year later), built a strong, stable, and loving family without regular – mostly absent – child support. The two youngest came along nearly ten years later, and Ty became a key figure in their lives. He was the “big brother” in the classic sense – a teacher, a protector, a companion, and an enforcer.

When he was young, there were years in which severe asthma and other respiratory ailments created regular hospital stays and time away from school. Ty was set to graduate high school this year – after much hard work. They had come through a lot. Ty was looking forward to college. Nikki and I had started talking about his financial aid forms and getting college applications completed.

Then Ty started having back pains – they went to the doctor and hospital a few times in one week. A few days later, Ty started losing control of his legs. They went to the hospital again, and within 24 hours, Ty lost all function in his limbs (becoming a quadriplegic) and had to be intubated (he remained intubated the entire time). Within 36 hours, after being moved to the top hospital in the state, the "official" diagnosis came – it was brain cancer (glioblastoma). He was given two weeks. Yet, Ty ended up in the ICU for two months.

Then they released him to ‘go home.’ Nikki was always there for him. Ty did go home, and Nikki became his primary caregiver for four months, 24/7, while still caring for her other three kids. Then, Ty did pass away.

Nikki needs time to heal and to be. Yet, she needs financial stability. Her car, last fall, also broke down and wasn’t worth fixing – another money need. Often, people say let me know how I can help. For us, for Nikki and her family, the reality is donations would be truly beneficial.

We thank you for considering – reading and being part of our lives.