The LaBarbara family would like to reach out to family, friends, and community members with hopes that you will help a family in need. Please take a moment to read about the Kierzek family’s history shared by the youngest daughter, Heather. They need our support.

“My mom was originally diagnosed with cancer back in 2014. She had undifferentiated sarcoma. She was able to beat it thankfully. In 2018, my father began to lose function of his arms. We were confused as to what was happening because his vitals were perfectly normal. He rapidly deteriorated from there, quickly becoming wheelchair-bound. In February of 2019, he was finally diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS. He lost his job and we struggled to get by due to my mother being mostly disabled from the complications from her own cancer treatment before. He died in July of 2019.

In November of 2021, my mom began to have issues with her hip. She found it very painful to walk and relied mostly on a cane to get around. We took her to the emergency room. They originally thought it was a nerve issue and sent her home. It continued to get worse and we went back. On December 28, 2021, they found a mass in her hip which broke her hip. They sent her home with a walker. At the beginning of January 2022, she began to have issues with her breathing. She was admitted to the hospital on January 12, 2022. Since then her cancer has spread rapidly. The tumor in her hip grew. We found out that she also has ovarian cancer and her lungs are completely covered with tumors. She has been rapidly deteriorating.”

Currently, Dawn Kierzek is in the hospital and Hospice has recently offered services to the family. The concern here is that when Dawn passes, there will be ongoing bills to pay, including a mortgage. Heather (19) is currently attending college on a scholarship in DC and has at least two years left of college. Kevin (23) is currently employed, but does not earn a wage to maintain the household bills. This could result in losing the family home. There are also numerous family pets they take care of who need shelter.

Both young adult aged children will no longer have the security of the family home until they can fully become independent and afford the bills on their own.

Both Kevin and Heather are graduates of Hernando County Schools. Kevin from Central High School and Heather from Weeki Wachee High School. They have lived in Hernando County most of their young lives.

The goal here is to provide enough financial support until both children can properly take over the household financial responsibilities.

At this time, any amount would be appreciated as they try to navigate the road ahead.