Donate to ease Stefanee's stage 4 cancer battle

In 2022, I had the great fortune of so many coming together to help my family as I battled stage 3 colorectal cancer. As of today, I am two years in remission with my head above water due to the outpouring of support.

Unfortunately, my baby sister Stefanee and her wife Kate are now in need of your support. She has been quiet about her journey—but I am going to boast of her strength and bravery now.

Stef was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 4 colon cancer, as it had spread to her liver. She had been the primary caregiver since 2013 for our dad, Gary, through his battle with Parkinson's disease. She tirelessly gave her all to support him as long as she could. Upon her diagnosis, I took over looking after him and helped get him into longterm care so she could focus on her health. Losing him in December was especially tough on Stef.

Stef, who just turned 40 in November, has gone through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation, and abdominal surgeries through her battle. Yet the cancer continued to spread back to her liver, lungs, and bones. The side effects have hit her hard, especially pain, fatigue, infections and GI issues—and it continue to worsen. Despite all of this, she pushes through and keeps up the good fight, letting her contagious humor and compassion come through whenever she has the capacity.

A few weeks ago around Valentine's Day, Stef had her first appointment at Karmanos. While she's in great hands there, the news wasn't good. She's now seeing a palliative care doctor and they are switching her from chemo (kills cancer), to targeted therapy (an attempt to stop further growth). With this news, she's decided to finally stop working and focus on everything positive that she can. Her health insurance is also now giving her trouble covering the necessary care she needs.

We as a family are devastated and have been trying to process. As Stef's big sister, I'm heartbroken that I can't protect her from all of this. But I'm trying to at least help lift the worry of finances off of her and Kate so they can focus on what matters most.

Any amount you can give will help. I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for helping my baby sister, Stefanee (Guthrie) Erickson.

You can also follow along on my cancer journey Facebook page.

Cancer sucks.