My mother was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive Stage IV brain cancer. The tumor was massive, measuring the size of a Billiard ball lodged in her frontal lobe (see picture for reference).

She had just separated from my father, and was hoping to start a new life—only for a doctor to tell her that she would now have a new fight she would be fighting—a fight for her life, a fight to at least see the last of her children graduate.

My mom, Auntie Nawal, as most of you may know her, is a Lebanese mother of five, who has spent her entire life pouring herself into other people, including us. She has fed neighbors, coworkers, strangers, our friends, friends’ friends. Every single person she meets feels loved in her light.

Growing up, she taught us so much about self-sacrifice—about putting others before yourself, about putting community before self, about giving altruistically and expecting nothing in return.

It moves me to say that the day has come where our mother, your ‘Auntie Nawal’ needs you—needs us—needs the very community she took care of, to take care of her.

It is now our turn to give her the hope, the courage, the nourishment that she has for so long been giving us.

My mother lives alone with her two twin daughters, is 61 years old, and is now unemployed after her brain surgery. She has filed for retirement disability and I have had to quit my job to become her caretaker during these troubling times.

She is afraid and my sisters are rightfully scared. We do not have enough to cover my mother’s medical expenses and cancer treatments.

My mother was expecting to have a new start on life after separating—a life free of insecurities, a life free of hate and filled with love, one where she can enjoy the simple things in life, such as the blessing of time with her kids.

We need your help to keep my mom around—to keep her feeling supported and in high spirits, as we overcome this together.

If my mother has ever made you feel loved, if she has ever fed you, listened to you, prayed for you, or made you smile, this is the moment to give that love back to her.

If I have ever helped you and supported you in a way that touched you, in a way that you felt was sincere and genuine and meaningful, in a way that made you proud of the woman who raised me, please—help that woman—help Mom.

Every dollar counts. Every penny goes directly to her care, to getting her back on her feet, to keeping her in our midst, to allowing her the time to become a grandmother.

We believe God is the ultimate source of healing and victory. Every step we take is guided by that knowing, and we are standing together with everything we have.

Donate to her cause. Share this with someone who can—with someone who will. Pray for her.

In the end, it is Allah who heals—it is God who cures.

“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”

The Holy Quran [26:80]

In advance, I thank you for your prayers, your donations, and your support.

With Love,

Your Friend Sami