Beautiful friends and neighbors, it's me, Heather! Most of you know that I'm a single mom to an amazing 16-year-old. Unfortunately, our family has been hit with some heavy news. I've recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. There is no cure but treatments are available to extend and improve my quality of life (for whatever time I am blessed to have left on this glorious Earth).

My breast cancer journey began when I discovered a lump on my supraclavicular lymph node. After a month of testing, HER2+ breast cancer was identified as originating in my right breast. Lamentably, it was discovered to have already metastasized to lymph nodes, lungs, and my sternum bone. I've just begun a 6 month chemotherapy treatment regimen and I will require injectable immunotherapies once every 3 weeks for the rest of my life.

I am self-employed & incredibly grateful to currently be insured through the Healthcare Marketplace! But as a 1099 employee, my income is directly proportional to the hours I'm able to work. I have no PTO option or sick leave. Although I plan on working as much as possible throughout the chemotherapy treatments, I do want to be realistic about the amount of rest needed to fight an advanced disease during chemotherapy. It's with a humble heart that I'm asking for financial assistance from my community of beautiful friends and neighbors.

If you feel called to donate, please know that you're making a huge difference in the lives of my son and myself. Donations will directly assist with paying medical bills such as deductibles, co-insurance costs, and medication co-pays. They will also be used to relieve the burden of auto insurance premiums for our brand new teenaged driver (who will come in handy for driving Mom to and from medical appointments!).

Also, in AMAZING news, my son and I are moving from our studio apt to a roomier rental on August 1st! Donations will also help with moving related costs including security deposits/utility expenses/buying pizza for the friends who've generously volunteered their time and muscles, etc. We will also directly use these donations to assist with housing and food costs to aid in the transition to our new space. Your donations will help with rent, power/gas/water bills, and groceries during the duration of treatment.

I appreciate the outpouring of love and support I've received from family and close friends. If you feel called to contribute and/or share this campaign, I wholeheartedly wish to thank you. I love you all very much! I am a lover first and foremost but can be a scrappy fighter when necessary, so rest assured that I am just as rare and aggressive as this cancer!