Heather lost her fight against Cancer

Hello. I am Nesli. My hero, my Heather and I go way back. For over 19 years, she has been my sister from another mother, my ally, my friend.

I am here to share the very tough journey Heather has been going through. Heather has enjoyed a successful career with Marriott Vacation Club for over 17 years. In June of 2021, she accepted a new position as a regional Recruiting Manager for the West. Shortly after moving into this new job, working remotely, she suddenly began to feel ill. For months she visited doctors and was hospitalized on multiple occasions, only to be constantly marginalized and misdiagnosed. Finally, in September, a blood test confirmed the worst, at age 42, she had cancer. Though, a definitive source could not be found at the time. It wasn't until December, months after she first started feeling ill, did she undergo an exploratory surgical procedure recommended by her healthcare providers to remove some internal organs and eliminate the possibility of them becoming a problem. While the surgery went well enough, a biopsy of the organs removed showed the primary source was likely elsewhere and had spread. Within a couple of weeks her pain was back, and far more intense. After many more tests, the devastating news came. Heather was diagnosed with stage 4 Gastric Adenocarcinoma, an advanced form of stomach cancer. Because the cancer is not in tumor form, there is no surgery to perform to remove it. Chemotherapy and other similar treatment forms are the only hope.

During the long period of trying to find an accurate diagnosis, Heather’s resources have been exhausted. Vacation time, sick time, and savings have been used up to pay her insurance coverage, cost of living and medical expenses. Her employer and coworkers organized a donation of PTO to her so she could survive during the beginnings of her health crisis, before the extent was known. But as you know, cancer treatment can come with a lot of unforeseen and hidden costs and can bury a family financially. This is why I'm asking for your help.

Our goal is to get Heather back to Utah. While she is currently living in California, she belongs with family and friends where she can be supported and surrounded with love. Heather is the proud mom to two children, a 25-year-old son, an 8-year-old daughter and recently welcomed her first grandbaby. Utah is also home to the Huntsman Cancer Institute where she can receive vital treatment options, not currently available to her and the best care possible.

This is a serious fight, and it will not be easy. This is an uphill battle, and time is of the essence. With the crazy housing market in Utah, moving expenses, deposits, treatment costs, etc., and with very little income due to being on a medical leave from her job, the move she so desperately needs has been out of her reach.

If you knew her, the last thing she would ever do is ask for help or put a loved one or stranger in a situation that might cause them stress. In fact, she’s such a pain in the butt that she has been sabotaging this effort for far too long. It took weeks to convince her to let me do this.

She has shown her love for others in so many ways; through her kindness, her leadership, compassionate heart and conscience mentoring many young souls, and most importantly by loving unconditionally.

I have told her that giving and receiving is a balance in life, and she very much needs it this time. Help me show her that love always returns what you have given. That it returns without burden or inconvenience. Sometimes it is a kind word, a prayer, a bouquet of flowers, sometimes a warm cooked meal, and sometimes with much-needed financial support that can keep you alive.

If you can help financially, please know all funds raised will go directly to Heather. Your donation will help her move to Salt Lake City, Utah, with her family and nearby the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Your donation will also help cover her health insurance costs, rent, living expenses, and current and future medical bills. Your support will help her heal.

Everything helps, any donation amount, any words of encouragement, all prayers.