For those that already know Angel Gillette, you'll know that family (which includes her friends) is the most important thing in her life.

She's a wife, a sister, a mother to four amazing children (Nate, Jake, Dominique, and Edward), the mom to three wonderful doggies (Albert, Ester, and Ernest), a supportive and loyal friend...and pretty much the center of our universe.

On April 10, our world was thrown into a tailspin when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Specifically, she has Stage III A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the right breast which has also moved into her lymph nodes.

On May 8th, Angel began an aggressive course of chemotherapy which will last at least the next 5 months, followed by surgery and then radiation. Her treatment will take up the next year with follow ups for the rest of her life.

Along with family, Angel has always been passionate about her career. She has spent over 20 years in Emergency Management planning for and responding to disasters at all levels of government. She kept all of us ready for the next disaster.

We weren't ready for this!

You think you're ready. You have insurance. You have a few dollars saved. You have a good job with good benefits. But then come the tests and the waiting and the co-pays and the co-insurance costs.

But a cancer diagnosis, along with the extremely untimely loss of her husband's job, has left the family stretched pretty thin and wondering how we're going to make it through it all.

As our family has slowly spread the word of her diagnosis and treatment plan to friends and family across the country, the number one question we have been asked is "what can I do?" and to be honest the answer is the hardest thing for us to ask.

We could use your help covering the cost of treatment and all the expenses that go along with it. Out of pocket expenses, even with insurance, will be at least $10,000 along with lost wages and things like transportation. With Mike losing his job our savings has dwindled pretty quickly.

We understand that we are lucky to have insurance and we wouldn't be asking or even accepting help if we couldn't use it. Any amount would be a blessing.

The money raised will help the family pay for:

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance

• Travel for family to come to South Carolina to help provide care for Angel

• Groceries and prepared meals to help alleviate some of the burden

• Basic bills and utilities as Mike looks for employment

We would also appreciate your love and prayers during this time as Angel starts this battle and Mike continues to look for a job.

We will overcome this. We will all be here by her side and have already made up the spare room for all of you that have planned a visit over the next few weeks and months.

Thank you for any support that you can give.

Love,

Friends and Family of Angel Gillette