Our mom, was recently diagnosed with Stage 2, Grade 3 HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer that requires immediate and intensive treatment. She is ER/PR negative and HER2 positive, which means the cancer grows quickly and does not respond to hormone therapy, which means she will require extensive treatment.

She will be undergoing a double mastectomy on November 5th, followed by a four week healing period. After surgery she will begin twelve weeks of chemotherapy and then continue with Herceptin infusions for a full year to target the HER2 receptors. Radiation may also be necessary depending on how her body responds to treatment. She is receiving her care through Compass Oncology in Portland.

Because of the length and intensity of treatment, she is unable to work and is facing major financial strain while trying to focus on healing and recovery. If you know Kara, you know how much she cares for other people, and you also know what it means for her to be the one who needs help now.

Our mom has always been the foundation of our family. She raised both of us on her own and has spent her life showing up for others with compassion, strength, and patience. She worked tirelessly to make sure we were taken care of and supported, often sacrificing her own needs so we never went without. She helps people even when she has little herself and she treats everyone in her orbit with kindness and dignity.

She has carried our family through hardship, grief, and uncertainty with resilience and love. Now she is the one who needs support behind her while she navigates this long treatment process.

Donations will go toward her medical bills and treatment expenses, rent and living costs while she cannot work, chemotherapy and targeted HER2 medication, cold cap therapy, supportive and integrative care for recovery, transportation to and from appointments, and any emergency or unexpected needs that come up during treatment. We are hoping to raise 25,000 to help give her stability and peace of mind so she can focus fully on healing.

Our mom has carried so much on her own throughout her life and we want her to feel surrounded and supported during this time, rather than having to shoulder this alone. Your donations, shares, and encouragement mean more than we can say. Thank you for helping her face this with dignity, safety, and hope.

In hope and healing,

Helena and Emily