Cara's Last Lifeline

Cara has many friends who love her. She has meant so much to the people whose lives she's touched. Those of us who are close to her and many of her friends who haven't even seen her in years are devastated by her prognosis.

For those of you who don't know, here is the medical story:

Cara has been fighting Metastatic Breast Cancer for the last 11 years. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 4/07 when she was 31. She fought cancer and was even back at work teaching in August of 2008, only four weeks after having a fifteen hour surgery. Then in the fall of '10, she got really sick.

In June 2011, an ER Dr. broke the news to her that her cancer was back. Only it came back in over 20 of her lymph nodes and spine, which broke her L2 vertebra. Her cancer was now Stage IV, or Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). She had no choice but to fight again. She kept teaching 5th grade for the first 2 years, even when she had to leave an hour early for 3 times a week for 2 months to get radiation to her spine. Unfortunately, her cancer and the meds she was on made her too sick to continue, so she went on permanent disability in 4/13.

Sadly, at this point, cancer has spread to most of her body. She has been on medications continuously because she cannot live without them and she's attempted to help other patients through participation in trials.

This would be too much for most, but it gets worse. She has been on Medicare for the past 3 years. But even with disability and medicare, she cannot keep her head above water. The meds that keep her alive, are killing her financially. She always tells me she wants to teach again. She wants to work, but she can't.

Our friend just survived Pneumonia when we thought she wasn't going to survive that 6 day hospital stay.

Cara is nearing the end of the battle for her life, but you can make the difference. Cara's requests are:

1) She wants desperately to come home to Broward County. A few of us are looking for a location for her to move to, but she has no resources to fund the move. PLEASE give what you can, now. We're running out of time!

(Every contribution helps. No amount is too small.)

2) She wants her friends to send her messages of encouragement and share her story so others will help, too. Please share this story and share what Cara means to you.

3) Tell the people you love how much you love them before it's too late!!!