Valerie, my aunt, has always been the heart of our family—caring for her grandson and supporting those around her, even as she faced her own health battles. In 2021, Valerie was diagnosed with right breast cancer. She bravely underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, surviving cancer but developing lymphedema in her right arm. This condition has made daily life and working consistently a challenge, yet she continued to care for her family, especially her grandson, with unwavering love.

Everything changed again in February 2026. After weeks of severe pain and frequent hospital visits, Valerie was admitted to the hospital. Doctors discovered her T7 vertebra was fractured, and an MRI revealed a tumor caused by cancer that had spread from her breast to her spine. She is now scheduled for spinal surgery on February 12 to remove the tumor, which is dangerously close to her spinal cord. There is a real risk that the nerves could be affected during surgery, which could impact her ability to walk. As she recovers, Valerie will require extensive rehabilitation and ongoing care, and she will not be able to work for some time. On top of these challenges, she is facing eviction, with housing secure only until May and will need help with rent after that.

This fundraiser is to help Valerie with rent and basic living expenses, medical and recovery-related needs, and to support her daughter and grandson while she heals. While asking for help doesn’t come easy, we all need it sometimes. I recently found myself sharing my little sister’s GoFundMe as she battles uterine cancer, and now, unfortunately, Valerie is in need of assistance herself. Any amount helps more than you know. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page or saying a prayer means just as much. Thank you for taking the time to read Valerie’s story, for your prayers, and for any support you can offer. She is holding onto hope, faith, and gratitude as she fights this battle once again. With love and thanks, on behalf of Valerie, her niece, Erica.