If you’ve ever met Suzanne, you know she’s the kind of person who gives more than she takes — even when she’s the one in need. She’s steady. Hilarious. Selfless to a fault. And right now, she’s in the middle of the hardest fight of her life.

She’s been with my brother-in-law for the last five years, and though we aren’t related by blood or even by law, she is family in every way that matters. Suzanne is a devoted mom of four, a trusted colleague, a fiercely loyal friend, and the kind of person you want by your side when life gets hard — the kind of person who shows up with a joke, a plan, and a bag of snacks.

She’s no stranger to hardship, and she meets it with grit, grace, and an unshakable sense of humor. When her youngest child was diagnosed with leukemia at just two years old, Suzanne stepped into “nurse mode” without hesitation, dispensing complicated medications, treating countless side effects, and managing crises after crises. After three long years, her son received the coveted “remission” label from his doctors, and it felt like the tide was finally about to turn.

For one short, blissful month, the word “cancer” stopped being part of her daily vocabulary — until a phone call from her doctor changed everything.

Despite classic symptoms and repeated requests for more testing, Suzanne’s early concerns were dismissed. So when the diagnosis finally came, it was too late for simple solutions. She had stage 4 breast cancer, and it had already started to spread.

It was a gut punch at the very moment she should’ve been catching her breath. But instead of giving in, Suzanne did what she always does: she showed up, ready to fight.

Now, she’s juggling aggressive treatments, grueling side effects, mounting medical debt, and a full-time job. She endures it all — bone loss, neuropathy, fatigue, loss of balance, skin issues — for her kids. Her greatest fear isn’t pain; it’s leaving her children too soon.

In May 2025, Suzanne took her kids to Red Robin to celebrate her daughter’s 8th grade graduation. On the way into the restaurant, she lost her balance and hit the concrete face-first. Instead of ending the night with full bellies and happy memories, she left the hospital with a neck brace and a $16,000 ER bill. Her insurance denied the claim that her fall was cancer-related and suggested she sue the restaurant. (Yes, really.)

Unfortunately, that’s just one example in a long line of financial stressors. Even with good insurance, her out-of-pocket medical bills continue to pile up. The sheer volume of appointments, tests, medications, and specialist care has created a relentless financial burden. Still, she continues working full time because her family needs the income, and her children need the insurance coverage.

No one should have to be this strong alone. So I’m asking for help — not just as a friend or family member, but as someone who’s watched Suzanne show up again and again with more strength, humor, and resilience than most of us could manage on our best days.

She doesn’t need luxury. She just needs relief.

Funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward Suzanne’s medical bills. If, by some miracle, there’s anything left over, it will help her take time off from her physically demanding job so she can rest without jeopardizing her family’s well-being.

If you’re able to donate, thank you. Your generosity is helping to lift an enormous weight off someone who has carried far too much for far too long. And if you’re not in a position to give right now, please consider sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and social media networks. Every donation and every share helps Suzanne breathe a little easier.

Whether you’ve met Suzanne or not, please know this: she is worth rallying for. She's the kind of person you'd want in your corner. Now she needs people in hers.