Help Anne Beat Breast Cancer & Support Eliza

It seems like my friend Anne Richter has been sprinting uphill ever since we were roommates at the College of William & Mary. Sprinting, because to meet her is to know that this woman is going to take the world by storm… lightning quick wit, agile mind, huge heart, and love of life. Uphill, because she has had to battle every step of the way. Working her way through college, she put herself through NY law school (while working full-time) and built a successful law practice there, all while shouldering the care of her two aging parents.

In January she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, stage 2A, and will have a partial mastectomy on March 11th, followed by radiation and most likely chemotherapy. She could be facing 4-8 months of recovery, or more.

“It is absolutely terrifying, consuming, the thought that I could die from this and leave Eliza on her own,” Anne confesses. “I am going to do everything possible, take every treatment, whatever it takes to beat this and be here for Eliza. That’s all that really matters.”

Anne has sacrificed and given everything she has for her daughter and now she needs our help.

Anne moved with Eliza to Richmond, VA in February 2022 hoping to reconnect with VA-area friends and praying that our world-class healthcare system could help find answers for her daughter’s declining health. Anne did not know that she would be the one needing care.

What some folks may not know is that in March of 2006, Anne’s life took a miraculous but challenging turn. Her daughter, Eliza Grace, was born prematurely at 26 weeks, barely the size of a 16-ounce water bottle and weighing hardly a pound. Eliza spent her first 100 days in the NICU with multiple complications and medical procedures, but with Anne’s devotion and care, and defying all odds, Eliza pulled through.

Anne met this challenge head-on. She founded a NICU support group, served on charity boards, advocated for special education, and volunteered her legal skills for civil rights—all while leading her law firm with unwavering dedication.

However, Eliza, a beautiful and gifted girl, continues to endure a complex tapestry of diagnoses that include Autism, ADHD, Kleine Levin Syndrome (an extremely rare sleeping disorder), scoliosis, tremors, a pediatric feeding disorder, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Eliza has always and continues to need attention around the clock. Anne and her mother tag-teamed to care for Eliza and to keep the household barely afloat until her mom’s passing in 2021 at the age of 99. Then everything changed. Anne has been able to work only sporadically, at best, without her mother’s assistance.

Eliza has not been able to attend in-person school since 2018 because of her medical needs. Although she receives 10 hours of homebound school services each week, Anne spends an additional 10-15 hours per week making up for what is not covered by the public school homebound services.

Your generosity will directly support Anne’s and Eliza’s immediate needs, such as uncovered medical costs, housing, food, transport, and other necessities to ensure stability and peace of mind while Anne undergoes treatment.

Given Eliza's complex physical and mental health needs she is unable to perform the typical activities of daily living and will very likely never be able to live on her own. For that reason, part of the funds will be placed in a special needs trust to provide for Eliza’s ongoing needs, including education, therapies, and long term support.

Together, we can help Anne and Eliza navigate this challenging time, ensuring that they have the resources they need to focus on what matters most: healing, recovery, and each other. Your support, whether through donations of any size, helping with meals and transportation, or simply sending positive thoughts, will make a tangible difference in their lives. We hope you’ll share their story so others will also join this effort.

We promise to manage every donation with the utmost care and responsibility, ensuring that Anne and Eliza receive the support they desperately need. And we will keep you updated as she fights this insidious disease.

Thank you once again for your generosity, compassion, and for standing with Anne and Eliza. Together, we will make a profound impact on their lives.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Skip Rowland and Wendy Rilling LeBolt