My Mom, Barbara Alward, is facing a tremendous challenge: last month, May 2025, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, stage IV.

My Mom is an artist, a poet, a thinker, a mother, a grandmother, and also a cancer survivor. She had metastatic breast cancer when my sister and I were kids, and went through extensive (and very difficult) treatments in the late 90s, eventually sending the breast cancer into remission. This new diagnosis and return of breast cancer has been extremely challenging for her in many respects, including her emotional well-being and the impact of treatment on her quality of life. She lives on her own in Morro Bay, and being advanced in age is no longer able to work consistently. The diagnosis has put considerable strain on her financial situation, adding to the already significant emotional strain and the surge of medical appointments to consider and plan for treatment and related health impacts she is likely to face.

As such, we are reaching out to ask for any support you can offer--however small--in helping my Mom financially during this difficult time. Funds will go toward medical care, appointments, medications/treatment, and travel costs Barbara incurs in responding to this tremendous challenge.

Thank you for reading and considering and for your support.