Help Keep Mary's Smile Alive

Hi, my name is Sara and I am trying to raise money for my best friend, Mary Burkoski. Mary and I have been friends for over 20 years. We raised our kids together and quickly became each others ride-or-dies through break ups, babies, death and everything in-between.

Last week, I got some information that rocked me to my core. My best friend has cancer. It's a rare and an invasive type of small intestine cancer (Duodenum Cancer). She is currently waiting for more information about the status of this and its possible spread. She has a special oncologolgy surgerical team at Upstate Medical Center in Syracure who are acting quickily.

Luckily, her college-age kids are home for the summer and her loving husband Brian, are all by her side supporting her 100%.

Mary has been a single mom for over 15 years and knows struggle first-hand. Her mom died years ago of breast cancer and had the BCRA 2 gene. Mary found out she did too and took every precaution to make sure her children didn't have to suffer like she did with losing a mother. After getting several precautionary surgeries due to the BCRA 2 gene, Mary's efforts still resulted in her getting cancer. However, Mary is ready to fight, knowing this diagnosis won't be the end of her life. To this day, Mary still supports her children, so she'll need some help in order to pay for all her monthly expensives which is why we're reaching out to you.

Mary's husband Brian, "B", as she calls him, needs to take time off from work to drive her to and from appointments in Syracuse where the surgery will hopefully take place sooner than later, meaning days off for him as well as Mary. Mary recently started a new career with NYS and loves it however, with her being new still to the job, there aren't enough accumalated sick days in order to have paid days off. She does have good insurance, but unpaid time off will put a strain on her budget.

Today, Mary is so concerned with keeping the lights on and all the other monthly expenses that I am thinking she won't take care of her own health. If you know Mary, you know she is a fighter, but I want her to fight for being cured and not worrying about the monthly bills. Your help will put my mind and hers at ease! I know Mary , her husband and kids will be appreciative.