Last December, my mom received concerning biopsy results, which, weeks later, were found to be stage 4 cancer. After a year of surgeries and hospital stays on top of countless rounds of radiation, chemo, and immunotherapy, she’s still fighting hard.

Currently enrolled in a clinical trial through Vanderbilt University, she’s temporarily uprooted much of her life in Lititz to continue treatment in Nashville. Although we’re grateful for the opportunity to connect her with top-of-the-line doctors and advanced care, the costs she’s been incurring are overwhelming.

If you know Paula, you’ve probably been touched by her infectious joy, kindness, and sense of humor. She’s dedicated her life to bettering the community around her, throughout her career as an educator, involvement in organizations like the Boy Scouts, and simply by being a mom to anyone who needs it. She’s sacrificed so much, and while I want to give her the world, the best I can do right now is extend her story to a bigger corner of it.

We’ve finally gotten her blessing to share, and I understand it’s a difficult time of year, so any support you can offer is invaluable. Even holiday wishes would be greatly appreciated, since she’s a Christmas fanatic. Thank you in advance for your support, and for reading this far; it truly means a lot.