Amber Smith

I wanted to come back on here today and just say thank you. ❤️ I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of support, messages, love, prayers, and good vibes that have been sent my way, from friends and family, people I went to school with, people I've only recently met, and even complete strangers. Honestly, I don't think I have the words to properly explain how much it means to me. I am so incredibly thankful not only for the financial support through donations, but also for the offers of meals, rides, childcare, help around the house, and everything else people have offered just to make this journey a little easier on me. Those acts of kindness mean so incredibly much to me. Knowing that people are willing to show up for me in so many different ways has been incredibly humbling. This has been such an overwhelming and uncertain time, but because of all of you, I truly do not feel like I am alone. And that is something I don't think I can ever adequately put into words. Thank you for every donation, every meal, every offer to help, every ride, every message, every share, every kind word, every prayer, and every bit of love you've sent my way. Thank you to every single person who has shown up for me. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. ❤️

Hi friends. I just wanted to come on here and give you all a little update. ❤️ I had my appointment with my oncology team, and we now have a surgery date. September 21st is the day. I originally thought I would only be out of work for about two weeks, but it turns out I’ll be out for at least four weeks because this is going to be much more involved than a simple hysterectomy. During surgery, they’ll be removing my left ovary, cervix, and both fallopian tubes. We are hoping to preserve my right ovary, but that will depend on what the frozen-slide biopsy shows during surgery and what stage the cancer is at. Recovery is going to be a lot, and I know I’m not going to be able to do much for a while. I’m going to do my absolute best to try to return to work part-time after about two weeks if my body allows it. One of the reasons for that is my benefits. When I go out on disability, my employer fronts the cost of my health insurance and other benefits, and that money is then recouped from my first paycheck. If I’m out long enough, that could mean my first paycheck essentially disappears. So, a big part of what the GoFundMe will help with is offsetting the cost of my benefits and helping cover the financial gap from not being able to work overtime while I recover. I want to thank every single person who has donated, shared, sent a message, prayed for me, or simply thought about me through all of this. The money is safely sitting in a savings account for when I need it, and I cannot put into words how much that means to me. The love and support I’ve received has honestly been overwhelming in the best possible way. ❤️ September 21st is the day. I’ll keep you all updated as we get closer and throughout my recovery. Thank you for being here with me through this. ❤️

Hi, my name is Amber. In September 2025, a small growth was discovered on my left ovary. At the time, I was told it was nothing to worry about. Over the next eight months, it continued to slowly grow, and I began experiencing worsening hormone-related symptoms. After repeatedly advocating for myself, I was finally given orders for lab work, which revealed that my estrogen levels were extremely elevated. During an appointment with an unrelated specialist, I was encouraged to seek a second opinion. At that very first appointment, my new doctor discovered that the growth had increased dramatically in size and was identified as a granulosa cell tumor—a very rare form of ovarian cancer that accounts for only about 5% of ovarian cancer diagnoses. While granulosa cell tumors are generally slow-growing, they have a very high recurrence rate, even after aggressive treatment. My treatment plan includes a full hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation if needed. As a single mom to an incredible little boy with special needs, this diagnosis has turned our world upside down. I have always been the person who shows up for others. Whether it's volunteering my time, supporting friends, or helping my community, giving has always come naturally to me. I never imagined I would be the one asking for help. If you are in a position to donate, no matter the amount, it will help ease the financial burden of medical bills, time away from work, travel for treatment, and caring for my son while I fight this battle. If you're unable to give, sharing my story would mean just as much. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your kindness, and for being part of this journey with me. Your support, prayers, and encouragement mean more than I could ever put into words. With love and gratitude, Amber