Hi! My name is Christopher Cano. My mother Laura is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. This isn't her first fight, in fact, she's beaten ovarian and brain cancer. My sister Nicolette and I wanted to set this up as a way to help support our mother while she is going through treatment. We'd like to actively respect our mother's wishes by not including any photos of her at this time, we hope you can understand and respect this wish of hers as well. Our mother is a strong and resilient woman who works extremely hard to support both her parents living with dementia and us her children. She is a warm and kind soul that brings joy to loved ones and friends alike. We're proud to see her continue to stand and fight after multiple bouts with cancer.

Our mother carries a BRCA1 mutation which is a genetically inherited mutation of one of the genes responsible repairing damaged DNA and maintaining genomic stability. This mutation substantially increases the risk of several cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer. She has a wonderful group of doctors giving her the best care they possibly can, but of course late-stage pancreatic cancer is extremely aggressive and does not carry the most promising prognosis. Regardless, we want to show our love and support for the woman who has laid down her life for us time and time again.

I currently reside in Connecticut and am completing my master's degree, so it is difficult to travel to and from New York to be with my mother as much as I'd like to while she receives chemotherapy. I hope that by telling her story everyone from Connecticut and New York can come together to support the woman that means so much to us. She deserves the world and more, truly, I've never met someone with such courage and confidence, even when the odds are against her. Day by day she continues to rise to the occasion and fight while supporting those around her. Laura is a woman who leads with compassion, she always finds a way to bring a smile to people's faces and lend her strength to those who need it most.

My sister and I humbly ask to provide support in whatever way, shape, or form you can and to keep our mother in your prayers. Thank you.

Thank you to my girlfriend as well for creating the art for the banner of this fundraiser.