We’re Torn Between Healing and Surviving – Please Help

07/23 Update

Thank you all so much for your prayers, donations, and support—it truly means the world to us.

I’ve officially been diagnosed with Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer in the chest. I’ll be starting intensive chemo ASAP, with 5-day hospital stays every 3 weeks for at least 6 months.

Because of my condition, we’re also trying to move out of our third-story apartment, which is no longer safe for me.

Any donation helps with moving expenses, bills , and so much more. We’re so grateful for every bit of support.

Hi everyone,

My name is Taneka, and I’m reaching out with a humble heart on behalf of my little family—my husband Dante and our sweet baby girl, Hazelee Ray, who was born on May 23rd ,2025.

What should have been a beautiful season of healing and bonding has quickly turned into one of the most challenging chapters of our lives.

A few weeks postpartum, I started experiencing what we thought was mastitis—swelling, pain, and redness in my chest, along with neck and face swelling, dizziness, and extreme fatigue. But after multiple rounds of antibiotics and no relief, doctors dug deeper. That’s when we discovered the truth: I have an 8cm tumor in my chest.

The tumor is pressing against my right lung and my superior vena cava, a major vein that carries blood to the heart, which has caused severe swelling in my face, neck, and chest. What we thought was an infection was actually my body trying to reroute blood flow due to the pressure from the mass.

Doctors now believe this is lymphoma cancer, and we’re currently waiting for more results to find out how aggressive it is and how to begin treatment.

We’re placing all of this in God’s hands and leaning on faith as we face the unknown. But we also know the next few months will bring major physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

The hardest part is feeling torn. I need Dante by my side now more than ever—he’s not just my husband, he’s my support system, my rock. But he is also our sole provider. He’s working full-time to keep a roof over our heads, pay the bills, and provide for our baby girl. We’re stuck between survival and support, trying to balance both with strength we didn’t know we had to find.

That’s why we’re reaching out for help.

We’re asking for $25,000 to help carry us through the next months of treatment, recovery, and survival. These funds will go directly toward:

• Rent, utilities, and household bills

• Baby essentials (diapers, formula, wipes)

• Gas and travel for medical appointments

• Out-of-pocket medical and recovery costs

• Giving Dante the ability to take time off to be by my side without risking our stability

Every single prayer, share, and donation means more than we can express. Even the smallest gift brings us one step closer to staying strong, staying together, and staying grounded in faith.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this fight.

With love, gratitude, and hope,

Taneka, Dante, Hazelee Ray, and family