Hello, my name is Abby Chavez. I am the youngest of three, born and raised in New Mexico. In 2010, while working as a bank teller, my life changed forever when I was held up at gunpoint. That terrifying experience awakened something in me. Seeing how law enforcement responded and protected others gave me a sense of purpose, and I knew that was the path I wanted to follow. With no prior health issues, I began my career in law enforcement in 2011 and gave it everything I had. I worked long hours, pushed myself physically and mentally, and proudly served my community for fourteen years. Then one day, while driving to work, I suddenly felt sick. I stopped at a gas station, thinking I was just exhausted from a long shift. But the pain didn’t go away—it got worse. Eventually, I went to the doctor and was told I had a mass on my pancreas that needed to be removed. After my first surgery in 2014, I kept waiting to feel better… but I never did. I was constantly exhausted, in pain, and unable to perform daily tasks. I was told repeatedly that this was just part of recovery. I was placed on light duty at work and used all my leave. Finally, faced with no improvement and declining health, I made the hardest decision of my life—I left the career I loved after fourteen years to try to save my health. Something inside me still felt wrong. I sought a second opinion, and that decision may have saved my life.

After further testing, I was referred to UNM Cancer Center in 2024. There, I was told I needed immediate surgery. Two weeks later, I was on the operating table. Doctors removed half my liver, my gallbladder, my spleen, and another mass on my pancreas—one that had blocked my insulin and caused me to develop Type 2 diabetes. After surgery, complications followed. My heart rate was dangerously high, limiting what medications I could take. I was hospitalized repeatedly for infections and low oxygen. I developed sepsis twice and required four drainage tubes to remove fluid from my body. A year later, in October 2025, I returned for follow-up appointments—only to be told they had found new masses growing. The type and location required equipment New Mexico does not have. I was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, adding more travel, testing, and uncertainty. Today, I am grateful I can still care for myself, but life looks very different. I move slowly. I get dizzy easily. I can’t lift heavy items or bend to my left side. This journey has been deeply traumatic, and I now struggle with anxiety on top of everything else. The financial burden has been devastating. Medical bills, medications, travel costs, and time away from work have pushed me far behind. I have had to let go of many valuable belongings just to keep up with basic bills. Asking for help goes against everything I’ve ever been—but I can no longer do this alone. I have always been someone who wanted everything done perfectly, always rushing through life. Now, I try to believe this is God asking me to slow down and cherish what truly matters: my health, my family, and my friends.

With a heavy but hopeful heart, I am asking for help. I am hoping to raise funds to help cover medical expenses, travel for treatment, medications, and basic living costs while I continue fighting for my health. Any donation—no matter how small—means more to me than words can express. If you’re unable to donate, prayers, encouragement, and sharing my story are just as powerful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my story and for standing with me during the most difficult fight. Your kindness reminds me that even in my darkest moments, I am not alone. With love, gratitude, and hope. Abby Chavez