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Mary Riley's Cancer Survival Fund

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My mother, Mary Riley, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer one month after being laid off from her job. She worked at in-patient recovery program  in Battle Creek, Michigan for women and their children that recently lost funding. This is the second time she's battled breast cancer but this time she has to do it without an income. She hasn't complained and expressed any worry about it. In fact, she's still seeking ways to support other people going through their struggles.

That's typical of my mother. I've watched her devote her life to helping others in some way my entire life. She perfected her giftwrapping skills when she worked in retail at Robinson's Department Store because she wanted the person receiving the gift to be filled with joy when they saw it. Then she became a "case worker" at the Franklin Center where she assisted people in obtaining resources to meet their basic needs, provided free tax preparation services, and ran the emergency meals progam (soup kitchen) for the homeless on the weekends. She forced my brother and I to volunteer there a few times a month so we'd know how fortunate we were.  She was Battle Creek's first 211 operator, connecting people to community resources to meet their concrete needs for several years. She went on to supervise trustees in the kitchen at the Calhoun County jail because she was "called to influence them to make positive choices when they get out." She has continuously comforted many families during their time of grief when she worked at Hughes-Perry Mortuary.

My mom chose these positions because she feels obligated serve others in her community. Now she needs her community's help. She obviously is not going to get another job as she prepares for treatment. Hopefully she will qualify for disability. In the meantime, she's already racking up expenses such for utilities, gasoline, insurance premiums and deductibles, phone service, food, hygiene items and other basic needs. Unfortunately, our family is not in a position to cover it all so I'm really stepping out of character and swallowing my pride (and hers) by establishing this fund. I only hope she doesn't kill me (I love you Mommy). I just feel like she's always lived by the motto "Each one reach one" and now she's the one who needs to be reached. Anything you give will be greatly appreciated and I'm sure will help strengthen her during this journey as she won't have to worry about basic necessities.
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Donations 

  • Joyce Brown
    • $50 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Leonica Erwin
Organizer
Battle Creek, MI

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