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Hi everyone, my name is Akane. I met Nancy at the Harmony Early Childhood Education Center in Renton, WA, where our children attended together. Nancy is one of the most hardworking mothers I know, raising three beautiful children ages 8, 4, and 2.
Recently, Nancy’s world was turned upside down. Her partner of 25 years and the father of her children, Chris, passed away from stage 4 kidney failure while waiting for a transplant. Chris was a deeply compassionate man who spent his life lifting up others. He earned his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and dedicated his time to the community, volunteering to coach youth sports. Even while fighting his own battle—wearing a shirt out in public that read "Kidney Donation Needed"—his focus was always on helping others.
Tragically, Chris left us far too early.
A Legacy of Giving Back
Even in the depth of her grief, Nancy ensured that Chris’s spirit of generosity lived on. She went through the lengthy process to donate Chris’s corneas, an act that will help restore vision to two people. This was incredibly meaningful to their family, as Chris's own mother had lost her vision as her health declined. Chris cared deeply about making a difference, and even in passing, he is still doing exactly that.
Why Nancy Needs Our Help Now
This loss has been devastating. It comes just a year after Nancy lost her mother in her late 80s, whom she had been caring for through dementia. Nancy shared with me that losing Chris has been an even heavier, more complex grief.
She is doing absolutely everything she can to anchor her three young children, but the emotional and financial challenges of losing their primary pillar are overwhelming. Nancy has always been there for her family and her community; now, it is our turn to be there for her.
How You Can Support the Family
Every single act of kindness, no matter the size, will make a massive difference as Nancy navigates this new reality. Here is how you can help:
- Donate: Funds will go directly toward helping Nancy cover immediate expenses, daily logistics, and stability for the three kids.
- Support via Give InKind: In addition to this fundraiser, I have set up a Give InKind page to help coordinate daily logistics and meals. Please visit that page [https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/H9G2K9G] to see how you can support tangible daily needs.
- Share: Please share this link with your networks to help us reach as many people as possible.
Note on Donations: GoFundMe automatically deducts a 2.9% + $0.30 fee per donation, and optional tips go directly to the platform. If you would prefer to give directly to Nancy to avoid these fees, please click the "Contact" button below to message me directly.
Thank you so much for your compassion, generosity, and love for Nancy and her family during this incredibly difficult time.