F@#$ Cancer

Hello Friends/Family of Uma Chad-Cato, 

My name is Tammi,  I am a friend Uma and her 
family and writing this will be difficult but frankly I can’t stand back and do nothing while watching her stress and depression grow. I want to share Uma’s story and I do this with love and grace because I am praying  in hopes that you will take a moment to read and possible find it in your heart to help. 

UMAChad -Cato is an amazing human!! She is a mother of two, a wife and an amazing friend. She was my first friend here when I relocated to the Sacramento area, as she helped to train to work for the same agency.  

What I learned about her since meeting her is that her soul has been forever dedicated to helping the less fortunate, ensuring others feel loved-and cared for and have a safe place to call home.Uma has worked in the non profit field doing all she can to support the needs of those chronically homeless. She models daily that “sometimes the most unlovable are those who need it most” and she shows them unconditional respect while teaching necessary skills to stay in housing and find services to stay mentally healthy.

She has worked tirelessly with compassion and grace to those needing kindness and love despite  being diagnosed with Lupus in 2004. Uma made her peace with that first medical crisis and forged on to continue her life of service to others despite the daily pain and fatigue.

 Unfortunately,  after a lifetime of working to care for others Uma has now lost her job. After   more than 8 years in her most recent position   she was let go from that agency; they stated it
was “due to her need for frequent absences”, even though they knew she wasn't taking time away to lay around  nor was it generally for her own medical issues, because you see Lupus was only part of the reason.

Being diagnosed with Lupus was only one medical blow her family sustained. You see Mike, her-husband was diagnosed just weeks after their wedding more than 9 years ago with kidney disease. Mikes condition now requires  weekly dialysis and as any loving wife would do Uma needed time to support those treatments, helping with transportation and caring for him  following those visits. Discharged from your job, for doing what you can to help family thru hard times is rough. We all know how devastating it can be but to be told it’s not about your skill set or performance, but instead because of serious  medical situations that you are frankly  completely powerless to fix, that’s just to much. 

If you are as passionate about what you do as    Uma was, that connection becomes a large part of your identity. When you no longer have that a piece of you crumbles. For a while you are numb for a time until reality begins to set in... then you realize not only have you lost your livelihood, but you are also without health insurance which is important when you feel life is kicking your ass. 

For most of us this would be enough to crawl     under those covers and swear you are not            getting out of bed. I know I have been there ..      If only that was the end of Uma’s story. You see as much as Uma has held her head up   with grace and tried to keep moving (with laughter and true positivity) her challenges continue. Uma was hit with  another medical crisis just a few weeks following the loss  of her job. She received a call that changed her life forever when her doctor diagnosed her with CANCER.  Specifically her diagnosis  in medical terms is. Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. An extremely aggressive form  affecting  both  breast and lymph nodes. 

Uma is now in the fight of her life. To start they quickly began Chemo therapy twice a month, those treatments take 3.5 hours each. She works so hard to not let those treatments steal her spunk. Sadly, that becomes harder every  day as the side effects are horrific and as with many cases this treatment  it has taken all of her hair. 

However as you can see :
SHE IS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL!!!Unfortunately those treatments are moving to weekly for the next six weeks, in a much more
potent dose. The nausea is horrific and the chemo has stolen her taste buds. Leaving the ability to taste and hold down food extremely difficult. We have found that protein drinks are extremely helpful to keeping up her energy and providing necessary nutrients.

Sadly, it is not surprising to know that things feel overwhelming and terrifying. Uma no longer qualifies for unemployment as it has ran out its term. We have reached out to doctors to see if there are alternatives such as temporary disability however, doctors have yet to complete necessary paperwork and that process will take time.

Today the reality is Uma  has NO INCOME . This   is of course a terrifying additional stressor to what is already a nightmare. No one should have to wonder where to turn for help. I hope you can agree that she should not have  to worry about how to keep her home while  they battle for their life, not to mention, how to keep the lights on, bills paid or food she can barely keep down in the fridge. THAT IS  JUST TO MUCH! 

The reality for Uma is this: The battle has just      begun. Following the next 12 weeks of weekly Chemo treatments Uma will still require a radical double  mastectomy. Then  that will be followed by intensive radiation  treatments. 

So, if your still reading this I thank you, it means a lot. So now what you ask... well now I need to ask of you is this .. CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND HELP in any way you feel you can... I am seriously asking for anyone who reads this to just Lift her up, send her love, light, laughter ... send her suggestions you may have if you have fought this personally, or as a part of a family, send her a scarf or a pair of socks (chemo rooms are cold) send her recipes for protein shakes or foods that might help protect her immunity and keep her strong, send her a stupid joke or music you come across. Truly any donation or thoughtful gesture could help..

 Again I ask please take 10 min from your day and DO ANYTHING YOU CAN!  Please consider making  a small donation of any amount ... and yes,  even $5.00 can make a difference IF EVERYONE WHO READS THIS DID JUST  $5.00 WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 
For one truly amazing wonderful loving woman’s who now fights for her life. Together we can stand up to  this disease and make a difference. Together we can provide hope, leave a message, share a  prayer ... help us say 

                 F@#$ YOU CANCER, not this time!!! 

100 percent of all money raised will go to help Uma fight the battle of her life, covering  living and medical expenses. This will allow Uma and her family to focus on medical needs and recovery. 

Please help me restore a little hope to her life. 

Sincerely,


Those who love Uma!!