This campaign is for the financial support of my sister Hazel's medical expenses for her cancer treatment.  It is likely that her expenses will be ongoing but her stated goal is needed for her current bills.  Below are her words describing her reaction to her recent diagnosis:

"I think it’s time to finally update everyone here what my family and I have been dealing with the last few days. It has come as a shock to us and we’re still trying to process what it will all mean. Family members and I have told some of you directly. Simply put, I have lung cancer. Although we still have to do more tests to confirm, from the samples they have pulled from previous procedures, they believe I’m at stage 4. The cancer has spread…I’m still grappling with “How?” and “Why?” I never smoked a cigarette in my life. I’ve generally been healthy. Before my cough got worse, I was training for a marathon. The worst part of cancer is that it will target anyone, and this particular one I have is an extremely rare form that seems to target non-smoking Asian women…Several days ago, I was being treated for a really bad bout of pneumonia or a bad lung infection. I believed some meds and rest would make everything better again, the assumption of a long future ahead perfectly intact. Then you hear the C-word, and your mind flashes instantly to what matters most to you in the world - my precious family, my husband - the love of my life and my greatest supporter, and my dear Isabella - the little girl who taught me there’s no limits to just how much you can love someone. Then there’s the fear. Who would take care of them when I’m gone? Would that little girl, who I cuddled, kissed and loved every single day of her life even remember me when she gets older? I try to be realistic of the battle ahead - I have family members in the medical field who have seen enough of the physical and emotional toll cancer can take to know what may lie ahead for me and my family. But I have no choice but to fight. Resigning to defeat, curling up in my bed and waiting for the cancer to take me is not an option. I believe in the in the power of Faith and positive energy. Everyone’s well wishes and prayers so far have helped me beyond measure. But it’s hard to maintain a positive resolve 100 percent of the time. No one has been negative to me, but even well-meaning people can get me down. The downcast, crestfallen eyes that greet me, the sad tone in their voices. I know how they feel because I too have felt that way before about people I heard had cancer. It’s a natural, justified response. But it’s difficult to be seen as a victim or even to be treated like you’re already dead. My family has been a source of great support these last few days. Hearing friends’ voices of encouragement has been uplifting as well. Being a faithful person in God, prayer has been comforting. The message I hear is not that simply because I believe I’m saved. The message I hear is that I’m the writer of my own story. I write how this story ends. Being a writer by trade, I know I can write a very long story! I don’t want my life to be a cautionary tale, a weepy story that makes you feel bad for taking life for granted. I want this story to be uplifting and inspirational. That despite a grim diagnosis, where there is life, there is hope. Today, I’m surrounded by a great deal of love by so many different people. Today, I’m filled with life. Where there is life, all things are possible and that gives me so much hope for tomorrow! With Love, Hazel"


Thank you in advance for all of your generous contributions.  This means so much to Hazel and our family. 

God bless.