<div>Dear friends and neighbors,

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<div>My name is Lillian Garcia. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised in Goleta, California. As a youngling, I lived in the ocean, studied equitation, Aikido, and worked in my family’s bakery while attending Dos Pueblos HS. After earning my AS in Environmental Horticulture &amp; AS in Math and Science from SBCC, I worked locally in ecological restoration &amp; sustainable landscape design before taking my dream job at Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian as a riding instructor for the intellectually and medically disabled. My students at Hearts then inspired me to return to school. I am currently in the process of earning my degree and license in registered nursing.

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<div>On Sept. 1st of last year, I was admitted to Cottage Hospital for a routine gallbladder removal surgery. Upon waking, my surgeon informed me that they found a rare and aggressive Stage 4 gallbladder cancer, with seven additional tumors throughout my body. They surround my heart, renal vein, carotid, and biliary duct. These tumors infiltrated my nervous system, colon, and had sent me into liver failure. Although my gallbladder was removed, the surgeons were not able to remove any of the other tumors due to their proximity to vital organs and arteries. My doctors told me I could hope to live another two months to two years with the help of chemotherapy treatments.

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<div>If you’ve seen me riding with hands so rope-burned that they look like raw hamburger, or working as a nurse aide in oncology throughout COVID, then you might guess that I “don’t quit easy”, as the cow-folk say.

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<div>At the time of writing this, the approved first-line chemo and immunotherapy drugs have stopped working. But I have three things going for me, and big plans for next steps. One: access to research into emerging new therapies and ongoing herbal therapies. Two: My tumor dna is HER2+, meaning I am now able to use breast cancer drugs as experimental treatments. Three: You. The incredible outpouring of support I have received from my friends and colleagues gives me a giant boost of strength.

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<div>I have recently been accepted as a patient at The Cancer Center for Healing in Irvine, CA, the #1 Integrative Cancer Clinic in N America. Dr. Connealy provides targeted chemotherapy combined with Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy, and Metabolic Therapy - all backed by peer-reviewed science but not yet readily available across the U.S. It is estimated that my treatments will cost twenty thousand dollars per month for a period of approximately 1.5 years. The center is not able to accept any form of health insurance and all patients must pay upfront for their treatment.

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<div>Although many friends have offered to create this fundraiser, I deeply wanted to write a personal letter to you. It is now difficult for me to read, write, and care for myself as a result of the arthritis from immunotherapy and the cognitive effects of the morphine I take for pain. I have lost thirty pounds and have been hospitalized nine times in the past nine months for complications arising from tumors growing alongside my organs.

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<div>Every donation, no matter the size, is a signal of solidarity in this fight. That is what I need most of all, your collective support and faith in the human spirit to persevere despite the sometimes fragile human condition. I believe that love heals and conquers all.

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<div>My sincerest thanks,

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<div>Lilly

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<div>P.S. If you would like to avoid site fees, you may Venmo me at @Lillian-Luu-4 (security code 3213)
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<div>Thank you all, and may I see you thriving in the new year!

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Tracy Lincoln

Taylor Tinley

Anonymous

Raymond Evans

Darren Marc

Lilian Luu

Frank Kalisz

Dwayne Walker

Kristin St. John

Jason LoCicero

Donna Hayes

Joyce Carlisle

James Smith

Chris Austin

Celeste Holladay

Eva-Martee Molnar

Help Lilly Beat Stg. 4 Cancer & Become Local RN

Help Lilly Beat Stg. 4 Cancer & Become Local RN

Still $44,600 to go. Help us build momentum.