Sarah McWilliams' Fight Against Cancer

UPDATE:

First I would like to say thank you to everyone that has supported my sister these past few years. She was such a beautiful soul and was more precious to me than I can decribe in words. She fought so hard to the very end. I'm so proud of her. It grieves me to have to announce that on May 15th, 2023, Sarah McWilliams passed away. She passed in peace with no pain or distress which I'm grateful for.

There will be a Celebration of Life and Burial Service on May 19th, 2023 at 3 pm. It will start at the Heartwood Preserve and then continue with a sunset celebration at 630pm at Howard Beach Park. Sarah wanted a green burial and wanted to be a tree. We are making this happen to the best of our abilities. We will have the green burial and hope to set up a memorial dogwood tree in her honor as her original dream was to be a dogwood tree specifically. Below I will link the FB event for her memorial.

From this point forward all donations will go to the family to help with funeral costs, final expenses and the dogwood memorial.

Link to FB Event: https://fb.me/e/UmF1foC2

Thank you,

Mary McWilliams

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My younger sister, Sarah McWilliams, began experiencing intense pelvic pain this past Labor Day weekend. A series of doctors’ visits, tests, and procedures followed, but she was unable to find an explanation, or any relief. On September 17, she received an urgent call to return to the hospital due to concerns about abnormalities seen on her scans. She was admitted to Tampa General Hospital to undergo more tests. On Monday, September 21, after weeks of confusion, Sarah received the devastating news that her doctors found a sizable tumor in her sigmoid colon. Further investigation revealed metastasis to her liver. Sarah, they told us, had Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer. 

As you can imagine this has come as a shock to her and all her loved ones as she just turned 30 less than a month prior and was otherwise in very good health. The surgeons did attempt to remove a mass, but due to the complexity, Sarah’s team quickly rerouted from removing the tumor to performing a colostomy and making a game plan to begin chemotherapy as quickly as possible.

As an Independent Nail Artist & Nail Salon Owner, Sarah has had an affinity to lend her support to others and to create a meaningful and peaceful sanctuary for her clients and friends. Unfortunately, with anticipated treatments of chemotherapy and the risk of contracting COVID-19 on Sarah’s already compromised immune system has forced her to put her career and her artistic passion on hold. All of Sarah's close relationships are prepared to put all their time and resources in supporting and caring for Sarah. As a result, the household income will be greatly inhibited for the foreseeable future. 

Even with health insurance, there are many out of pocket expenses that this beautiful and courageous spirit will have to prepare for on top of her existing normal monthly bills. I'm humbled by my sister's fierce spirit to face this with optimism and hope in her heart. It is my honor to organize this fundraiser on her behalf. Please, let us come together in these difficult times and make her journey just a little bit easier.

Thank you, 

The Luckiest Big Sister in the World

Mary McWilliams