A Utah mother, who recently received a three-month life expectancy, is fundraising for her own funeral following a quiet struggle with a rare terminal cancer for two years.
Erika Diarte-Carr, 30, initially aimed to raise $5,000 through a GoFundMe campaign for her future service.
However, the support poured in, with over 30,000 donors contributing $900,000 as of Sunday.
The additional donations are planned to be placed in a trust fund for her two children, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5, whom she described as her “whole life” in the fundraiser’s details.
In September, Erika disclosed her battle with small cell lung carcinoma that began two years ago.
“I hope you have a good support system at home because you’re going to need it, you have a long and hard journey ahead of you.
“The doctor than proceeded to tell me that there were multiple tumors that had metastasized to other parts of my body including my skeletal, which is how we were able to find the tumor that was causing my shoulder pain,” Erika wrote.
“By that point the damage had already been done. In that moment, mine and my kids’ entire lives had changed forever, as well as all of those around us.”
Just under two years later, on January 17, 2024, Erika received a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome, a condition characterized by excessive production of cortisol over an extended period.
Erika shared with ABC4 that this diagnosis marked a significant decline in her health, leading to various issues, including difficulties with mobility.
In her GoFundMe account, the Utah mother detailed how the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome led to other health challenges, such as rapid weight gain, swelling, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, characteristic “moon face,” as well as muscle and bone deterioration, among other issues.
Since her diagnosis, Erika has been balancing full-time work, only taking a brief 2-month hiatus initially for medical procedures and treatments, as she shared.
Juggling her professional responsibilities with being a full-time mother, she emphasized the incredible support she receives while acknowledging the significant financial, emotional, mental, and physical strain it has placed on everyone involved.
In a recent campaign update following an oncologist appointment on September 18, Erika disclosed her decision to halt treatments as they were no longer beneficial.
With a prognosis of three months left to live, she expressed her intention to cherish this time with her children and loved ones.
Erika bravely acknowledged the challenging task ahead of planning her own funeral to ensure her kids’ well-being after she’s gone.
Erika expressed feeling “ashamed and embarrassed” about her diagnosis but realized that not seeking help was no longer an option, prompting her to start the fundraiser.
She highlighted her gratitude for her medical team, mentioning individuals like Carl Gray, Kylie Money, Steven Brown, and Brandon Fisher.
Erika shared that any surplus funds from the campaign would be set aside in a trust for her children’s future.
Reflecting on the overwhelming support she received, Erika shared with ABC4 how the fundraiser’s success, surpassing $900,000 by September 29, took her by surprise.
She expressed gratitude for the unexpected generosity and assistance, emphasizing her shock and immense appreciation for the outpouring of support during this challenging time.
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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