My name is Kristian Watson, and I am humbly asking for help on behalf of my younger sister, Sarena Dickerson.

Sarena is not only a 7th and 8th-grade science and gardening teacher at Walter Stiern Middle School in Bakersfield, CA — she is a servant at heart. Teaching is not just her profession; it is her ministry. She has poured into her students day after day, encouraging them to grow not only academically, but personally. On weekends, she devoted her time to leading Bible Study for children in the neighborhood where we grew up. Her faith in God has always been the foundation of her life. She doesn’t just talk about faith — she lives it.

In April of 2024, Sarena was diagnosed with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer — one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Since then, she has faced every appointment, every treatment, every setback with courage rooted in her unwavering trust in God. Even in pain, she prays. Even in uncertainty, she believes. She continues to declare that God has the final say over her life.

What began as breast cancer has now metastasized to her vertebrae, tailbone, and liver. She is currently hospitalized and in extreme pain. Her mobility is limited, and she is carefully learning how to move without causing further injury to her spine. At this time, she is too unstable to return home.

The emotional weight of this journey has been heavy — but the financial burden has been equally overwhelming.

Although Sarena currently has health insurance, it is scheduled to end on March 7th because her employer can no longer cover her benefits due to her extended medical leave. This means she will soon be responsible for covering her own insurance premiums while continuing aggressive cancer treatment. The costs of chemotherapy, hospitalizations, imaging, medications, specialist visits, and potential travel for care are staggering — even with insurance. Without employer coverage, the financial strain will increase dramatically.

Sarena and her twin sister, Shabrena Dickerson, recently purchased a home together — a milestone they were so proud of. As Sarena’s health has declined, Shabrena has taken on the full financial responsibility of the mortgage and household expenses alone. Utilities, insurance, and daily living costs continue to accumulate. I have also had to stop working to care for Sarena around the clock, which has further limited our ability to contribute financially. What we would give in money, we now give in time, care, and love.

Sarena worries about us. She worries about the bills. She worries that her illness is placing a burden on the family. But we are not worried about the finances — we are worried about her. We are healthy. We will figure it out. Her health and her healing are what matter most.

Sarena is hopeful. She talks about the future — about getting married one day, about having children, about returning to her classroom and her garden beds, about hearing her students laugh in the hallways again. She misses her teaching life deeply. She misses serving. She misses pouring into others. Now she needs others to pour into her.

She has spent her life serving as a public servant and a woman of faith. Now, we are asking for the community to rally around her.

First and foremost, we ask for prayer. We are a praying family, and we believe in the power of prayer. Please pray for healing, for comfort, for strength, and for provision.

Second, if you are able, we humbly ask for any donation — big or small — to help cover:

Continued cancer treatments and hospital costs

Insurance premiums once employer coverage ends

Mortgage and utilities to ensure she has a home to return to

Travel and specialist care as needed

Daily living expenses during this extended fight

If you cannot donate, please share Sarena’s story. Share it with your churches, your coworkers, your friends, and your communities.

Our prayer is that Sarena can focus solely on healing — not on medical bills, not on losing her home, not on how this illness has affected our ability to work. Just healing.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for standing with Sarena in faith.

God has carried her this far. We trust He will carry her through.