I write this with a very heavy heart. My sister, Shanta, has been diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 brain cancer for the third time – an Astrocytoma IDH-mutated brain tumor. Surviving a second diagnosis is exceedingly rare, and she is currently under the care of Dr. Mateo Ziu, the clinical director at INOVA Hospital.

Her two daughters, who are ages 20 and 28, have courageously taken on the tremendous responsibility of bringing their mother to radiation and chemotherapy treatments 5 days a week. Each trip requires an hour and a half drive from Winchester to Fairfax, VA. Meanwhile, I am a thousand miles away in Louisiana, doing my best to help from afar.

While Shanta fights for her life, I want to ease her financial burdens so she can focus solely on her recovery. She has two beautiful daughters as well as four precious grandchildren, ages 8 years to just 7 months, who love their Nana dearly.

She lives on just $900 a month, and while my siblings and I ensure she has a car, we never anticipated the financial strain this situation would cause. The mounting medical bills, travel costs and other expenditures are becoming overwhelming.

As Shanta battles this disease once more, she is also facing these financial challenges on her own. To support her, I have set up a GoFundMe to help alleviate some of these expenses. Any contribution—no matter how small—would be deeply appreciated during this challenging time.

I completely understand if you are unable to donate; your thoughts, prayers and support in any form are invaluable. If you can’t contribute financially, sharing my sisters’ story or sending a prayer would mean just as much.

Thank you so much for your kindness. Shanta is not only my sister but also my best friend, and your support means the world to us.