Hi, my name is Afshin and I’m fundraising for my friend Louise.

Louise is from Philadelphia, and I met her 10 years ago in London through recovery. At the time, she was working as a waitress and rebuilding her life with strength, humility, and grace. Today, she has over 18 years clean and sober — a reflection of her resilience, her faith, and the way she lives her life with gratitude and kindness.

She is one of those rare people who truly shows up for others. She notices the small things, gives without expecting anything in return, and brings warmth wherever she goes.

London became a special place for her. She saved hard-earned money for her first trip to Europe, and since then she has returned every couple of years. Over time, we became close friends.

On her most recent visit, something unexpected happened.

Louise suddenly became very unwell and had to go to hospital in London, where doctors found fluid in her abdomen and advised urgent follow-up when she returned home.

At the airport, she tried to upgrade her seat so she could travel more comfortably and showed the airline her doctor’s note. Instead of helping her, she was unexpectedly declared unfit to fly. Her ticket was not reimbursed, and she was forced to purchase a new one, at her own expense, on another airline — despite already feeling unwell — just to get home in time for medical care and work.

Shortly after returning to Philadelphia, she received devastating news:

Louise has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which has already spread to her intestines.

She is now beginning an intense treatment journey:

• 3 rounds of chemotherapy (approximately 12 weeks)

• Followed by major surgery and a 6-week recovery

• Then a further 3 rounds of chemotherapy

During this time, she will be unable to work and will be facing months without income, on top of everything else.

And yet, this is who Louise is:

In the middle of all of this, she still took the time to send me something deeply meaningful — her original 12-year recovery chip — to celebrate my own sobriety milestone.

That is the kind of person she is.

This fundraiser is to help support Louise through the months ahead — covering living expenses, medical-related costs, and giving her some stability while she focuses on treatment and recovery.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page would mean just as much.

Thank you so much for your support.

With love,

Afshin