A single mother diagnosed with terminal cancer has passed away after successfully raising funds for her own funeral and for her children’s future.
She was just 30 years old. Erika Diarte-Carr, the mother of 7-year-old Jeremiah and 5-year-old Aaliyah, died on Saturday, October 12, as announced by her cousin, Angelique Rivera, in a Facebook post.
“It is with a heavy heart that this is the final update i will be giving for my cousin Erika. She has joined her mother Sylvia, her Brother JJ, her uncles Chava & Loui on the other side,” Rivera wrote on Saturday.
“She fought a long and hard battle. She was strong and held on as long as she could for her babies. I know she was so thankful for all of your support and love and prayers.”
Diarte-Carr launched a GoFundMe campaign on September 18 to help cover her funeral costs and to “leave something behind for [her] babies.”
She initially set a goal of $5,000, but the campaign quickly gained traction, attracting donations from over 38,000 people and raising nearly $1.2 million by Monday night, October 14.
In her first update, the mother of two shared that on May 7, 2022, she visited the emergency room for what she believed was a shoulder injury, only to be “diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer,” specifically small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).
On January 17, 2024, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder that occurs when the body “makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time,” a rare condition affects only 40 to 70 people out of every 1 million.
Diarte-Carr detailed how Cushing’s syndrome led to additional health complications, such as “rapid weight gain & swelling (60+ lbs in a matter of weeks), muscle and bone deterioration, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and Moon Face.”
Moon Face refers to the swelling that causes the face to appear round.
In her update on September 18, she revealed that doctors had given her three months to live, prompting her to undertake the “difficult thing” of planning her own funeral.
She mentioned that any funds raised beyond her funeral expenses would go into a trust fund for her children.
By September 29, the campaign had exceeded its goal, raising $1 million.
Details regarding her funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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