Support Our Mom Barbara’s Second Cancer Journey

Our beloved mom Barbara Peterpaul was diagnosed with cancer at the start of 2025. Though this isn't how we expected to begin the new year, we are holding on to hope and the fact that she is an expert "storm weatherer."

Over the holidays (and perhaps for longer), an abnormal mass and ascites grew in Barbara’s stomach to an alarming size. After seeing various doctors who could provide little information, she finally found answers from a trip to the ER. Two painful weeks and a full day’s surgery later, they removed the 9 inch tumor and confirmed there was advanced cancer in her ovaries and uterus.

We have a long journey ahead, but she remains in very high spirits and is receiving phenomenal care from the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven. If you know her, you won't be surprised to hear that she has already charmed the scrubs off everyone here. That said, she is very anxious about treatment and the financial burden that comes with it.

As you may know, Barbara has already been through more than any person should in a lifetime. She battled stage 4 thyroid cancer - and BEAT it - as a young mom in her 20s. She guided her son Thomas' cancer battle and then grieved his passing at the young age of 11. After his death, she wrestled with challenging mental health struggles as a single mom. However, she weathered the storm.

My mom works incredibly hard at multiple jobs, but is unable to work at this time. Your generous support will help my mom:

Anything you can give is truly amazing and if you can't - that's a-ok, too - we just hope you will share the page with a friend, or leave Mom a note of encouragement.

Our mom is the strongest person we know. She has already kicked cancer's butt before, and we know she will do it again. We also know how incredibly lucky we are to have the support from each and every one of you.

Thank you for being here and championing our family in this unimaginably difficult time. You raise us up. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2025.

Love,

Robert, Julia, William & Cassie

(Barbara's kids)