Hello, I am a former teacher of one of Michelle Raftery’s children. I am asking you please to help out this wonderful family with five children.

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

Today, we reach out on behalf of a truly remarkable woman, Michele Raftery.

Michele is the kind of person who shows up. Whether it’s opening her home to someone in need, delivering meals to families going through hard times, or volunteering behind the scenes to support kids, parents, and teachers as she has always been a quiet but powerful force for good in our community. But today, Michele needs us.

Michele is now facing the toughest battle of her life. She has been diagnosed with multiple cancers, including brain and stomach, and is also recovering from major surgery and a serious infection that left her hospitalized.

To make matters even more overwhelming, she and her family are now at risk of losing their home—the only home they’ve known for the past eight years. In April, her husband lost his job of four years, and soon after, the company managing their home changed policies. That shift has put their housing situation in serious jeopardy, adding to the financial and emotional strain as Michele fights to heal. This family is now worried that they will lose their home and the next two weeks.

This is not just one health crisis; it’s been a storm of them. Since late May, Michele has been unable to eat without intense pain and illness, losing over 100 pounds in the past year. A recent hospital stay finally uncovered an underlying infection that had gone untreated for too long, only adding to the toll on her body.

On July 7th, Michele underwent a full laparoscopic hysterectomy and cyst removal. She was directed to return to the hospital after her post-op appointment on July 15th due to dangerously high heart rates. Further evaluation and scans revealed cancer in her brain, and confirmed cancers in her cervix, uterus, and stomach.

She had stomach surgery in May and is preparing for four weeks of chemotherapy—but that treatment is currently on hold until the infection is fully treated. Adding to the uncertainty, she’s still waiting on a long-overdue appointment with a neuro-oncologist to address the cancer in her brain.

This GoFundMe campaign has been created to help lift some of the weight off Michele and her family’s shoulders. Every dollar donated will go toward:

    •    Medical bills and ongoing treatments

    •    Housing expenses to prevent eviction and ensure her family has a safe place to live

    •    Basic living costs while she’s unable to work and healing from multiple conditions

Michele has spent her life giving to others. Now, we have a chance to give back. Please consider donating as no amount is too small. Would you please share this page with your friends, neighbors, and community? Let’s surround Michele with the love and support she’s always given so freely to others.

Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your generosity.

With love and gratitude,

Margaret Stancher and Michele’s Family