This is Tara Wilson. To know her is to love her. I’ve had the privilege to call her family for the past 30 plus years. She is a resident of Lawrence County, wife to Johnny, mom to CJ and Lucky, and bonus mom to Sadie and Harley. If you’d ask her what her hobbies were, she’d take a long time to answer because she always takes care of everyone else before herself. She also spends most of her time at the Dollar General on Hwy 27, keeping everyone supplied with goods. Well, this time I’m taking the opportunity to pay it forward in her time of need. Here’s her story.

Tara was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. At the age of 47, that’s not something you’d like to hear. As you could imagine, her heart sank as it was that very diagnosis that took her mom from her so many years ago. All she could think of was her husband and her children, not to mention the granddaughter that is on the way. Tara has so much more life to live! On top of the diagnosis of breast cancer, she also has Von Willebrand disease, a blood disorder that makes it difficult for her blood to clot, making her recovery that much more extensive. There’s only one hospital in the Jackson area that is equipped to care for Tara with these conditions, UMMC. As you know, UMMC was recently a target of a cyber attack. Tara had a double mastectomy scheduled for this Monday, Feb 23, 2026; however, it had to be canceled due to these unforeseen circumstances. Tara has been unable to contact UMMC to reschedule the surgery for this same reason. She states, “It just seems like everything is conspiring against us and not allowing us to prosper.”

As most families these days, two incomes are crucial to just eat and pay utilities. The Wilson family would never ask for handouts as they are hardworking people who’d give you the shirt off their backs but not expect anything in return. So that being said, this GoFundMe is being set up to help cover costs of her double mastectomy and what insurance doesn’t cover, the living expenses while being hospitalized during and post-operation, also to help with home expenses as she has to take extensive leave of absence from her employment with Dollar General receiving no pay. They shouldn’t have to worry about everyday life on top of just trying to survive it. Tara nor her husband Johnny have any idea I’ve created this fundraiser as I’m sure they’d tell me not to. However, let’s give Tara the gift of the life she most certainly deserves! I know times are hard on us all, but if you feel led to give anything, please do. These kids need their mama, and that new grandbaby needs her too! We all do! Thank you for any and all prayers, comfort, and support. God bless.