Dear sweet friends (old and new), family, and our faith community—I’m sharing the following with a broken heart. My momma, Peggy Hawkins-Dean, suddenly fell critically ill just days ago. What began as a medical emergency with a dangerously high fever and confusion quickly unfolded into something much heavier: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). By God’s mercy, I happened to stop by her home that night before heading back to my own to pick up something I forgot. I found her nearly incapacitated and incoherent in bed. I called 911, and she was rushed to the hospital. After extensive testing, we received the diagnosis that changed everything. She has since been transferred to UCLA Westwood Cancer Care, and we are incredibly grateful. UCLA is ranked #4 nationally for cancer care and #1 in California and Los Angeles (U.S. News & World Report 2023 - 2024). We are deeply aware of how blessed we are for her to be receiving care here.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a rare, fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Immature white blood cells multiply rapidly, crowding out healthy cells and leading to severe fatigue, infections, and bleeding risks. It is an aggressive cancer, but newer treatments and targeted therapies are improving outcomes, and early, expert care is critical. We are taking this one day, one decision, one prayer at a time. The course of treatment at this time is aggressive chemotherapy, then hopefully stem cell transplant should she make it through.

Calling my mom “a wonderful mom, wife, and friend” doesn’t amount to the weight her presence holds. She is the gravitational center of our family. We orbit around her. She’s been legally disabled since age 40 due to a connective tissue and chronic pain condition, yet she has spent her life doing one thing relentlessly: loving people well. Before AML, nearly all her energy went into helping others, praying with them, listening, and making people feel seen and safe. Even now—while hospitalized—I keep walking into her room to find her praying with staff. Nurses. Techs. Doctors. Even the volunteer pianist who graciously played for her. Not prayers for herself, but for their peace, their families, their burdens. She adores her standard poodle Phoebe, gardening, and taking care of her indoor plants.

This fund is to help the Dean family with hotel costs near UCLA Hospital, parking and daily transportation, meals while we’re living out of a hospital room, ongoing medical care for her precious dog Phoebe, and lost income from time off work so our focus can remain on loving my mom well. We are also asking for continued prayers to Jesus—bold ones—for healing, wisdom, peace, and endurance. And if you’re able, we welcome practical support of any kind: hospital “feng shui” tips, counseling recommendations, inspiring testimonies, or interest in bringing a meal to our family. No gesture is too small. Truly.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for praying. Thank you for standing with us.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

With love and hope,

Sarah

NOTE: If you prefer to avoid transaction fees, please Venmo or Zelle me @Bradford-Family-Funds, or [phone redacted] and I will be sure your gift goes where needed.