Alicia Duran

Hi, my name is Alicia, and I met Lisa about a year ago when I started bringing my daughter to ride her ponies at the park. My daughter wasn't even a year old when she first got on one of Lisa's ponies, Miss Mimi. What started as something fun for my baby girl introduced me to a woman who has spent 26 years at Waller Park creating those same memories for generations of families throughout the Santa Maria and Orcutt community. Over the past year, I've gotten to know Lisa beyond the pony rides. I've learned how much her animals mean to her, how much of herself she has given to others, and just how much she has been carrying behind the scenes. Right now, Lisa is once again fighting cancer. Cancer is unfortunately not new to Lisa. Over the years, she has faced multiple cancer diagnoses and treatments. Most recently, Lisa's breast cancer returned and metastasized, spreading to other parts of her body. Lisa had completed the radiation treatments available to her and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, including Chemotherapy medication she takes every day. She recently established care with a new oncologist in Oklahoma, and right now there are still many unknowns about what comes next. Earlier in this fight, Lisa received news that gave her hope: She had been accepted into a cancer trial in Oklahoma City. The opportunity felt especially meaningful because Lisa's daughter lives in Oklahoma. Lisa closed the business she loved, sold almost everything she owned, and began making the journey there with her ponies, hoping this trial would be the next step in her fight. But what should have been a hopeful new beginning quickly became one setback after another. Along the way, Lisa's truck broke down, delaying her trip. After finally getting back on the road, another devastating setback followed. The person driving Lisa's truck was involved in an accident while towing her horse trailer, which was filled with her personal belongings. Lisa was traveling separately in a U-Haul, towing another trailer carrying her ponies. Thankfully, the ponies were not involved in the accident and were safe. But Lisa's truck and horse trailer were totaled. With only liability insurance on the truck, the accident created another major financial setback at a time when Lisa was already uprooting her life to pursue cancer treatment. Those delays had another heartbreaking consequence: Lisa missed the start date for the cancer trial she had been accepted into. Lisa had hoped there might still be a way for her to participate in the trial, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. She is no longer eligible for it. After everything Lisa had given up and everything it took to get there, the treatment opportunity she had been working toward was suddenly gone. Today, Lisa continues chemotherapy while working with her oncology team to determine what comes next. Through all of this, life hasn't stopped. There are still trips to treatment. Transportation expenses. Animals that depend on her. Household bills. Everyday necessities. And the uncertainty that comes with not knowing what the next stage of treatment will bring. That's why I'm asking our community to help me show up for Lisa. The funds raised will give Lisa some much needed breathing room while she focuses on her health. Donations will help with treatment related travel and transportation, recovering from the financial losses surrounding the accident, caring for her animals, everyday living expenses and other expenses that arise as she continues treatment. I know firsthand how much joy Lisa and her ponies have brought to families, because my daughter is one of those children. Now I'm hoping we can return some of that kindness. No donation is too small. And if you aren't in a position to donate, please consider sharing Lisa's story. Every share helps put this fundraiser in front of another person who may be able to help. We can't fight the cancer for Lisa, but we can help make sure she doesn't have to carry everything else alone. Thank you for donating, sharing, praying, sending encouragement, or simply taking the time to read Lisa's story. ❤️