My heart is shattered into a million pieces as I watch my baby sister face the toughest battle of her life. She was diagnosed on November 12 with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, a very rare incurable form of cancer in her pancreas that has spread to her liver at only 35 years old. In 2014, she was told she has hypoglycemia which she had been dealing with for 10 years. There were never any tests done and it wasn't until she got severely sick in July this year that there were questions raised. She begged doctors for help and to conduct a CT scan. Which has revealed numerous tumors including a 5.2 inch mass in her pancreatic tail and extensive metastatic disease to her liver. Due to her cancer being so rare there needs to be a skilled surgeon who specializes in dealing with NET. This has turned our entire family's world upside down.

As her older sister, I've had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, kind, and strong woman. We've shared countless memories, laughter and tears together. And I'm so grateful to have her in my life. The thought of her going through this alone is unbearable and we are turning to our friends, family, and community for support.

Everyday is a struggle for my sister. She's forced to take a cocktail of medications, inject herself with needles, and endure the nausea and extreme fatigue that come with them. Despite her bravery, I see it is taking a toll on her body and spirit.

Due to her condition, my sister has been forced to stop working relying solely on our immediate family. There's a very real possibility that she may lose her insurance coverage and move out of her home. She will need surgery out of state and possible chemotherapy or radiation. Her rent and everyday expenses are becoming overwhelming. We refuse to let financial worries and stress hinder her from focusing on her health and fighting this with all she has.

Our goal is to help raise funds for my sister's future surgeries and ongoing medical care. Anything helps no matter how small even sharing this will be greatly appreciated and makes a difference. Thank you for your kindness, thoughts, and prayers. It means the world to us.

With gratitude,

Rachel Courtney