My name is Eleni and I am fundraising for my sister Tessa. My father is listed as the owner of the GoFundMe page because I live in Canada and cannot do one internationally, but this is my fundraiser.

My sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is my best friend, my ride or die, and one of my favorite people. We’ve been quoting the same movies from 1995 and the same TV shows since 2015, but we still have the best laugh attacks. Our conflicts have made us better, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. Her diagnosis was and is still surreal, but there is no doubt in my mind she will beat this. We’ll still make it to that front porch on a crisp sunny day in our 80s, laughing, getting annoyed at each other, and just generally being as crazy as we’ve always been. For this, I am not worried.

On June 6, 2025, at only 34 years old, Tessa was officially diagnosed with breast cancer—an aggressive form of invasive ductal carcinoma. To further understand the cancer, she underwent a variety of tests during the first few weeks of June. With all these tests, they confirmed that the cancer has not spread to any organs or anywhere else in her body; however, there are four lymph nodes involved. The lymph nodes are the body’s defense against the cancer spreading. They did their job well, and the hope is that the chemotherapy will remove the cancer from the lymph nodes, followed by their surgical removal. Tessa’s treatment plan includes five months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery, and then radiation.

Tessa began chemotherapy on July 9th and is currently in the thick of it. Chemotherapy doesn't necessarily leave one bedridden, but it is no joke. The effects are cumulative, and Tessa has reached the point where she can’t really work. As an independent contractor, her options for disability support are very limited. Since Tessa works in manual labor, the symptoms from her chemotherapy have made working quite difficult. Her mobility, energy, and strength are affected. This will only continue to be challenging as she recovers from surgery in December and moves into radiation in the new year.

Beyond needing to cover basic living expenses, her insurance isn't going to cover all of her treatment. Any money donated to this fund will go toward covering living expenses and medical bills.

I wish it was different. I wish we lived the values we often deeply profess but then fail to embody, those of kindness, compassion, connection, humanity, love, and justice. Since our society continues to fail on all fronts, at the end of the day, it’s mutual aid, community care, and the generosity of people who bring these values to life. It’s everyone who has come to this page and chosen love and care.

I appreciate you reading this far, and I hope you feel inspired to give what you can. In a world on fire, do not give more than you are able, but every little bit helps. It’s giving big sister energy! Show Tessa she’s got a whole gaggle of honorary big sisters out there.

Forever in love and solidarity,

Eleni