Support Rachel's Battle Against Stage 4 Cancer

Help Rachel Fight Cancer

Hi, my name is Sara Tekula, and Iʻve set up this fundraiser along with my two siblings Rebecca and Michael to support our 38 year-old sister Rachel Tekula and her young children, Lulu (8 years old) and George (3 years old).

Rachelʻs Story

Rachel is a loving and caring daughter, a wonderful sister to three siblings, a dear and supportive friend to many, and a devoted mother to her two children. For over 15 years, she has dedicated her career to educating children. She put herself through graduate school to achieve a Masterʻs Degree in Education, has worked as a preschool teacher for over a decade, and is an expert at helping kids learn to read. She is a beloved member of her community in the Nyack, NY area, as she has helped countless families with small children.

In October 2023, just 6 months after a total-loss house fire that Rachel and her family narrowly escaped and left them starting over, Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 3B colorectal cancer with lymph involvement. Since then, the cancer has spread to her liver and her lungs, which now makes her Stage 4, requiring a complex sequence of treatments and surgeries. Unfortunately, this cancer has the KRAS mutation, which occurs in 25% of diagnoses and makes the disease a lot more aggressive.

Rachel has found top-notch treatment through Memorial Sloan Kettering, has undergone a full course of radiation therapy, and is now finishing a series of intensive chemotherapies. With the Stage 4 diagnosis, the road ahead is a challenging one, with surgical interventions likely.

With your support, Rachel and her family could have the help they need to fight this disease.

How You Can Help

The good news is that we can lighten Rachelʻs load and completely remove some of her worries! Rachelʻs family is doing all we can in the short term. For months, we have taken time off from work to support Rachel in all the ways she needs: we've run meal trains, we've helped with the kids, dog, and household chores, and traveled far distances to hold her hand during chemotherapy treatments and be her support system. Taking time off of work ourselves is not sustainable over the long term.

This is where your donations can be truly transformative in her healing journey: together, we can make sure Rachel and the kids have the stability and support they need to get through this difficult time.

What Rachel & The Kids Need

While Rachel does have health insurance, it does not cover all expenses for the medical care and treatments she needs to get well. In addition, childcare support and other essential services will help free her up to focus on healing and reduce her stress.

The Fundraising Goal

We are hoping to raise $50,000 to get Rachel and the kids through the next 8 months (through the end of 2024).

Funds raised will pay for 8 months of uncovered expenses, including:

All funds raised will go directly to Rachel, so she can apply funds directly where they are needed most. Your support is deeply appreciated.

There will likely be additional unforeseen expenses and weʻll keep everyone updated here on the GoFundMe page. Please keep Rachel, the kids, and our entire family in your prayers. And thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving generously in any amount you can to support Rachel and her sweet family during this difficult time.