So much grief. Just one Mom.

Hi, I’m Kelsie.

Two weeks ago, my mom’s husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. On the morning of June 30, 2025, he passed away.

It was fast. It was brutal. There was no space to prepare—no time to make a plan, process anything, or even catch her breath. One day he was here, and the next he wasn’t.

And somehow, this wasn’t even the first heartbreak.

In the past year and a half, my mom has lost her dad (Joe), her dog (Apollo), her dad’s cat (Herbie), her brother-in-law (Harold), watched me go through breast cancer, and now—she’s lost her husband to cancer as well.

She’s still in the thick of fresh grief. And she’s tired. Not just physically—but mentally, emotionally, and in every part of her that’s been trying to hold it all together for too long.

My mom also lives with multiple sclerosis, which makes everything harder—even on a good day. MS affects her energy, her mobility, and her ability to function under stress. What most people can push through, she has to carefully ration. Grief like this doesn’t give her that option.

My younger brother, just 23, has taken time off work the past two weeks to grieve his father as well. Everything has fallen on their shoulders—but neither of them has a financial safety net. They’re doing everything they can, and they’re still drowning.

My mom and brother had believed there was a life insurance policy that would help with funeral costs, but it turned out there wasn’t one in place after all. Now, on top of fresh heartbreak, my mom is left trying to figure out how to move forward without the help they thought they’d have—while managing a chronic illness that doesn’t stop for loss.

I’m doing everything I can emotionally and logistically, but I can’t take on the financial burden myself. That’s why I’m asking for help on their behalf. That’s why I’m turning to the people who know what it means to lose someone suddenly, to feel lost in the aftermath, and to need just a little extra help to stay standing.

This fundraiser will help with:

• Funeral expenses that weren’t covered

• Immediate household and living costs

• A little breathing room to grieve without going under

My mom didn’t want to do this. She was worried about how it would look—like she should’ve had everything figured out. But the truth is, she’s been through more than most people could handle, and she’s doing it while managing a body that’s already fighting to keep up. This isn’t about asking for too much. It’s about finally letting people step in when she can’t carry it all herself anymore. When life keeps knocking you down, sometimes survival does mean reaching out.

If you’re able to donate, share, or help in any way—thank you. Whether it’s a kind word, a hot meal, or just letting them know they’re not alone, it all means more than I can explain.

They wouldn’t have asked for this. So I am.

Thank you for showing up for them. Thank you for helping me support them. Truly.

With love,

Kelsie