My journey began in January 2023. I was diagnosed with non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ, stage 0, grade 3. I had many thoughts after receiving the news. How would I tell my four young adult daughters, as well as the financial burden it would place on me and my husband. It's a sad but real world we live in when the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis is one of the first things on your mind.

Looking into resources was overwhelming for me and my husband. In all honesty I didn’t want to apply because it made things feel more real. However when we applied and received the Pay It Forward grant, it brought me to tears. It was a moment of hope and relief in the midst of fear and uncertainty. The timing of the grant could not have been more perfect. It came through right as a bill of the same amount was due. It allowed us to focus on my health, removing the fear and stress that was counterproductive to healing. It truly felt like a “God Thing” and a reminder from Him that He was in control, and everything would be okay.

As 2023 was coming to a close we were all too ready to get it behind us. We learned so much, cancer took some from us, but I love to say it taught us more than it took. One of the most important things we learned is, it’s okay to let others help you.