On her birthday of all days, one of my oldest and dearest friends received the scariest news a person could hear. “It’s CANCER.” This week Mary Emily was diagnosed with both Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. The grades and stages of each are yet to be determined. Yesterday, the day after diagnosis, Mary Emily underwent an emergency procedure to remove the Melanoma tumor from below where they removed the original mole on her right leg. This procedure was already extremely costly. For her left leg, the Basal Cell Carcinoma will require the MOHS procedure. The depth of this procedure cannot be determined until the procedure date and the surgeons understand how deep the cancer goes. Unfortunately, Mary Emily cannot move forward with the surgery she so desperately needs until the cost of the procedure is covered in full.

So what now? Mary Emily has always been an exceptional mother, raising Annie all by herself and never asking for help. She’s also been one of the only people I’ve ever been able to count on, whenever-where ever. I know Mary Emily is this pillar for quite a few people because she’s just so real and humble and generous. I’d like to do what I can, to make sure she can get the treatment necessary for her body to start healing as soon as humanly possible. I am not one to ask for help often, but I think we are all raising the white flag here. Not knowing the cancer stage, the treatment options, the time missed from work, we are just working towards the most immediate need at this time.

Thank you from all of us that love her, and couldn’t imagine life without her.