Support Hanaa's Battle: Cancer and Fertility

Help My Wife Hanaa Fight Cancer & Protect Our Dream of Parenthood

Hi, my name is Clay Chrestia, and I’m writing this on behalf of my amazing wife, Hanaa.

Hanaa is just 31 years old. She’s the kind of person who lights up a room with her kindness and determination. Until recently, she was thriving in her role with the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce—supporting local businesses and cheering others on as they chased their dreams. Ours was next: we were getting ready to start a family.

But everything changed on April 3rd. That’s the day we were told Hanaa has Stage 2B ER+/PR+ Breast Cancer.

There’s no history of cancer in her family, so the diagnosis came out of nowhere. For me, it was especially painful—my dad had just recently passed away from cancer. We had just started planning for a baby, having the kinds of conversations that make you excited and nervous all at once. Instead, we found ourselves facing a battle we never expected and wasn't ready for.

One of the hardest parts of this diagnosis is the timing. Hanaa’s chemotherapy needs to begin immediately, and we learned that the regime that she is given would cause some damage to her eggs even with ovarian suppression, which could impact her ability to have kids. We were given a small window to preserve her fertility, which meant starting oncofertility treatments right away.

Thankfully, the LIVESTRONG Fertility Network helped cover the cost of hormone medications. But the rest has to come out of pocket. North Carolina doesn’t require insurance to cover fertility preservation, even when it’s medically necessary due to cancer.

We never imagined that trying to protect our dream of having a child would come with such a financial burden, on top of everything else we’re already facing when it comes to her cancer treatment.

As a pediatric nurse, I spend my days caring for children with special needs—sometimes working from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. But now, my focus has shifted to being home with Hanaa, being present for her when she needs me most. That means fewer hours at work, and a harder time covering our growing medical costs.

I know so many of you reading this may have gone through something similar watching someone you love fight for their life while trying to hold onto hope. It’s terrifying. It’s overwhelming. But it’s also shown us just how strong love and community can be.

So today, I’m asking for your help.

Your donation will go directly toward:

If you’ve ever faced a moment that flipped your life upside down, then you understand how much your support means to us right now.

Whether it’s a donation, a kind message, or simply sharing our story— please know it all makes a difference. Every gift brings us closer to protecting Hanaa’s future and holding onto our dream of one day being parents.

We’ll keep posting updates—on her treatments, her progress, and, we hope, the life that comes after this. And one day, if we’re blessed, we’ll get to introduce you to the little one you helped make possible.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for walking with us. Please keep Hanaa in your thoughts and prayers. And if you'd like to reach out personally, whether to ask how she’s doing or just send love, we’d be grateful to hear from you.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Clay and Hanaa