Help a new widow get back on her feet

My father died of pancreatic cancer two weeks before Christmas. He was only 59. He did not have life insurance, and between medical bills and funeral costs, my mom is in a financially precarious place. We created this gofundme because people have asked how to help…

Here are my parents last year, before cancer entered the picture.


In April 2018, my dad was diagnosed with Stage IIB pancreatic cancer. This photo was taken in November 2018, on his way home from the hospital, after doctors told him there was nothing more they could do.


My parents moved through 8 harrowing months with courage and determination and kindness.

The experience drained their accounts and cut their income to zero months before he passed.

Now that my father is gone, my mother must create financial stability from scratch.

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Here is Sharon’s current plan:

My mom is a nurse by training.

Over the past several years, she experienced disabling health conditions that left her unable to work. During that time, her nursing license lapsed.

She now has an opportunity to get her license reinstated. She has to study for some online tests and complete clinical hours. Her hope is to get licensed again and teach nursing, which she’s done in the past.

Sharon has 16 online tests to take to reinstate her nursing license.

Your donation will buy her time to study, so she can get a reliable income stream coming her way after losing my dad.


Where exactly will the money go?

Our goal is $10,831.

If the number sounds specific, it is. We're looking to cover 2 months of my mother's living expenses, as well as my mom’s health insurance deductible ($6k), which she'll hit early in the year. My dad set her up with good insurance that covers her extensive medical needs without being tied to his employment.

With a buffer, my mom would have enough time bury her husband, to take all the tests needed to reinstate her nursing license, and to move toward a job that can sustain her.

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Who created this GoFundMe?



I’m Kathy, Sharon’s oldest daughter (the one in the middle).

Honestly, I feel terribly uneasy posting this gofundme after so many people have already helped my parents so much. I know it’s not your responsibility to keep my mom afloat. But family and friends have asked specifically about where to donate, so I created this page as a space for those who want to help.

We see every cent you give as a sacred gift and use it accordingly.

My brother Dan has a strong background in finance. He helped my parents weather the financial storm of income loss and cancer treatment. He will be right alongside my mom, making sure that money is allotted to highest priorities so she can get back on her feet. 


My mom suffered a tremendous loss this holiday season.

Thank you for helping her start 2019 with some hope and help.