My name is Amanda, and earlier this year, I moved to Juneau, Alaska, hoping for a fresh start in a place that quickly captured my heart. The beauty of the outdoors, the woods, and the water have brought me so much peace. But just as I was beginning to settle in, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer. The news came in June, right as I was starting to catch up from my move and save for permanent housing. Since then, life has changed dramatically.

I now travel to Anchorage for scans and will soon need to stay there for a week for radiation. Weekly chemotherapy has been placed on hold while we deal with brain tumors and infections. Common side effects such as brain fog, dizziness, nausea, and severe headaches are making it difficult to work regular hours. There have been days when I’ve had to leave work early or miss shifts entirely due to the side effects and urgent treatments. My support system here in Juneau is small but incredibly kind, and my friends and family in Washington have been a lifeline, even from afar. Still, being new to the area means I don’t have a large local network to lean on.

My cats have been a constant source of comfort, always by my side when I’m home, sensing when I need extra support. Currently, I’m seeking assistance to cover essential expenses, including housing, utilities, prescriptions, gas, groceries, and cat food. Receiving support would allow me to focus on my health and recovery without the fear of falling behind on bills. It would help me get through surgery and treatment, making sure I can cover the basics while I also seek out public assistance. Any help means the world to me as I navigate this challenging time.