If you know Sarah Hickerson, you know she’s the sweetly irreverent, playfully adventurous friend who, to keep folks comfy, always has extra clothes and blankets to share in her “Mary Poppins carpetbag” of a car, will jump into a lake on a whim, and can stir up belly laughter until y’all burst. She’s spent her life gladly helping others — from her early days caring for horses, tutoring kids with special needs, serving as a public health educator in the Peace Corps in Guinea, to nearly 20 years as a nurse — but now she needs our help.

Recently, doctors discovered a large tumor inside of and at the top of Sarah’s spinal cord (C2-C3), which is severely and dangerously compressing her spinal cord and displacing her brain. Without surgery, she risks paralysis and dependence on a ventilator to be able to breathe. Even with surgery, she has those dangerous risks. It’s unknown what permanent damage has already been done that can’t be fixed by surgery. Terrifyingly, she faces a long, painful recovery with uncertain outcomes, assuming she survives her operation.

Sarah still easily jokes: “I’ve got a dazzlingly large noggin, but there’s no room for this beast of a tumor!” Silliness aside, Sarah solemnly shares, “I’m terrified of surgery on my spinal cord, the hellacious recovery, and of what kind of condition I’ll be on the other side, if even I survive it.”

What’s certain is that the road ahead will be expensive, overwhelming, and painful. That’s where we can step in. Contributions will help Sarah with medical bills, housing, groceries, and daily needs so she can focus on surviving surgery and healing afterward. As it is true for many natural helpers, it’s difficult for her to ask for assistance — but right now, she truly needs it. Please donate if you can, and share this campaign widely. Together, we can give Sarah one less thing to worry about and, hopefully, many more years of friendship, impromptu swims, laughter, and sunshine.

Thank you!!

This campaign is being coordinated by Sarah's Peace Corps friend, Tim Curry, to ensure continued access should she be unable to manage the page. But please rest assured that all donations will go directly to her.