<div>In 2022, Sara Shepard was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. It was a shock to us all because she was only 41, but Sara was tough and we knew she'd get through it. On top of the chemo and other treatments, she had started a new job that year and continued being an active mom and wife and doing the other million things that kept her life creative and vibrant. She beat cancer and rang the bell. Of course she did.
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<div>In 2025, the cancer had come back. Sara had been quietly suffering the effects of it until a traumatic injury revealed the truth - it was back, and it had spread. Stage 4 cancer was all over her body, and stole her ability to walk. Her husband Josh became her full time caregiver, on top of parenting their 6 year old daughter Vivian and working nights at his job. Sara's parents moved in to provide help as they could, but it was not easy. Josh sustained his own major injury at his job, but refused to let it slow him down. Through all this, Sara was still tough, and didn't let the fear and worry of her family and doctors dampen her spirits.
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<div>She continued working in between hospital visits, until she got notice from her employer during a hospital stay in October that the company was shutting down, ceasing health insurance benefits immediately. Without warning, this cancer patient was now facing having her health insurance ripped away from her family during the most difficult time of her life. Due to circumstances of the company's closure, employees were ineligible for COBRA, so Sara applied for Medicaid (while the federal government was shut down). By the end of the month, Sara would reenter the hospital for the last time.
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<div>We lost Sara on November 4, 2025. Sara and Josh spent their recent wedding anniversary in the hospital, marking 12 years of marriage. Their daughter, Vivian, turned 7 in October. They are now forced to move forward in life without Sara, and this GoFundMe was established  by Sara's sister Megan to help ease that pain as much as possible. While we are seeking financial support from the hospital and grant opportunities, funds generated here will help offset the substantial medical bills resulting from Sara's sudden and unexpected loss in insurance coverage. Any additional funds will help support their family as Josh transitions to a new job, or be set aside as a college fund for Vivian.
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<div>There is so much more to Sara's story than what is shared here. A memorial for Sara will be held in Houston, TX on Friday, November 21, 2025.
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Support Josh and Vivian After Sara's Loss

Support Josh and Vivian After Sara's Loss

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