Angela Miles

Carol says thank you. We are so appreciative of everyone who has given and to everyone who has shared this fundraiser. Knowing that financial times are not the best for many people currently makes this effort on your part even more meaningful. Please continue to share this campaign and know that you are making a real difference. THANK YOU!

Some people take care of everyone around them. Sometimes, that means they sacrifice taking care of themselves. Carol Pride is one of those people—resilient, strong, loving, tried and true. She’s the one you most want in your corner when you’re going through tough times. But she is also the one who needs more good people in her corner right now. Allow me to share a little bit about my niece. Carol works as a full-time care provider for people who need close, attentive assistance. Often, her clients are elderly, infirm, and unable to do much of anything for themselves. Sometimes, they are in hospice care. She has held hands, calmed fears and provided a sturdy shoulder for frail and fragile people, sometimes as they took their last breaths. She gives her very best to each client she serves, but she never knows how long the relationship will last, how long until the one in her charge will transition and she will again be looking for a new placement. In addition to the uncertainty, she carries a cumulative sense of loss that few people can comprehend. Carol typically holds down a part-time job, as well—a less lucrative but more consistent source of income. She and her husband both have jobs that mean they receive pay only when they are able to work—hours can be long and benefits few. In the current world of work, we realize this is a tough reality for a lot of people. Being on her feet so much of the time has led to some debilitating health issues, and earlier this year, Carol’s doctors, as well as Carol’s persistent pain, let her know she needed to have knee surgery as soon as possible. But while preparing for that procedure, her doctor discovered an even more urgent problem. Carol had a massive tumor in her abdomen, and it needed to be removed right away. That was the plan. Remove the tumor in August. Then after adequate time to heal, proceed with knee surgery in October. But there were some obstacles. First, the aftermath of her daughter’s murder, an unspeakable loss that happened in August 2025. The trial was set for the anniversary of Cindy’s death, and that meant the tumor removal had to be delayed. The trial has now been continued until next year, and the tumor has now been removed, thankfully, with few complications. But all tallied, doctors advised Carol she would need to be out of work for several months to recover from the back-to-back surgeries—both of which they deemed essential. Now, still in recovery from the first surgery, Carol has put off the knee repair indefinitely so that she can go back to work immediately—getting little rest and standing for long hours on legs that are aching all the time—because she can’t figure out another way forward. In addition, Carol’s husband has developed a life-threatening condition that has required multiple hospitalizations and near-constant care. He is doing all he can, but he is also in dire straits. As the one who is always there for everyone, Carol is a foundational support for her now-motherless grandsons. She is also like a mother for her nephews and great nieces-- children and grandchildren of her younger sister, Allison, who died unexpectedly two years ago. Carol is also the staunchest advocate and most reliable resource for all of her own children and grandchildren—including her son who is in need of a second organ transplant within about a decade. Add to all of this-- car troubles, housing hurdles and constant worries about other people. Carol is a hardworking mother but also a grieving mother who has barely had time to deal with the gravity of her losses. She is desperately needed and constantly on call for both work and family. She needs support for Carol. And that is the point of this GoFundMe. Carol has family and extended family who love her absolutely. And we do as much as we can. But it would lighten her load considerably if anyone who understands the heaviness of so many burdens would be willing and able to lend a little encouragement, as well. That can be through prayers, a kind word, connection to resources, and yes, financial contributions. We understand this is a difficult time for many people, monetarily speaking. We all have challenges and the cost of everything is sky high right now. Because of that she and we will appreciate that much more any amount of kindness, any number of dollars, any portion of your prayer life you have available to share with her. Our Carol is a beautiful soul who just keeps pressing on. She rarely says anything about how hard life is. But while all of these troubles rain down on her, she is up early every day, going to care for someone else, because she is not able to even take the time to properly heal—because she can’t afford the expense in dollars or in days—to move forward with the second surgery her doctors have warned she should not be putting off… all of that is a clear illustration of just how hard life is for her right now. If you have ever faced even one of the setbacks Carol has endured, if you would never want to have to navigate through so much adversity, please consider helping if you can. Know that her family is beside her… and we are also saying thank you in advance for any help at all you are inclined to give. We say thank you on behalf of my niece, Carol Pride. May God bless you and yours.