Hello friends and loved ones,

I’m not the best at asking for help, and while it’s extremely uncomfortable for me to do so, I wouldn’t feel like I did everything as a mother for my boy unless I bite the bullet and put down my pride. My son Tim is about to turn 16. Planning a 16 year olds birthday is already bittersweet, and life decided to throw me an extra stressful curveball in the form of a stage 2 melanoma. I’m about to embark on several months of emotional, physical and financial hardship in the wake of biopsies, surgeries and subsequent procedures and treatments as there is a pretty high chance that the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes, if that's the case it will put me in stage 3 and if it's made it to other organs stage 4. As scary as starting all of that is, I just can’t help thinking my sweet boys 16th birthday is about to be tainted and marked the day he found out his mom had cancer. He doesn’t deserve that. He’s the most empathetic person I’ve ever had the privilege to know and he will one hundred percent without a doubt shift all his focus on me without giving his own milestone a second thought. That’s why for his 16th birthday I would love to take him someplace he’s always wanted to go. If it’s meant for me to get funded I want to take him to California, rent a car and camp the most beautiful national parks on the west coast. He deserves to be able to look back on this year without it being overshadowed by hardships and uncertainty. The goal I’ve set will cover the trip as well as help ease the blow of getting to and from my appointments while I progress through healing my body over the next several months. I know times are hard for everyone right now so please know that I am just as grateful for a share. ❤️