Erika Diarte-Carr, a 33-year-old mother of two from Utah, is facing a heart-wrenching truth after being given only three months to live. While undergoing back surgery, the young mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 little cell lung cancer in May 2022. Her trip has been both physically and emotionally taxing, and in January, she received another disastrous treatment: Marshall Syndrome.
This unusual problem, caused by an overproduction of cortisol, affects just a small fraction of the population—between 40 to 70 people out of every million, according to the National Institutes of Health. The symptoms, if left untreated, may become life-threatening, adding more complexity to Erika’s previously difficult battle with cancer.
On her GoFundMe page, Erika just shared the terrible news from her oncologist. ” I have been given 3 times to live”, she wrote. ” 3 times to spend with my loved ones and children. To make the most of the day I have remaining, three months. Her kids, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5, are at the vanguard of her feelings as she faces the unfathomable process of planning her own death.
Erika explained that she has been able to work and has no benefits or life insurance because financial problems are pressing. She wrote,” I need to make sure my kids are safe after I leave.” Her initial goal was to raise$ 5, 000 to pay for her children’s funeral expenses.
In an amazing show of support, Erika’s history has touched the hearts of many. As of this week, her GoFundMe has raised over$ 840, 000 from more than 29, 000 donors, far surpassing her initial goal. Humbled by the compassion, she plans to set up a trust account for her children. Erika said,” I may leave everything behind for them and also make sure they are safe as they grow up.”
Her love is apparent as she considers the kindness of strangers. ” Me and my family thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts”, she wrote, adding,” ]My children ] are my whole life, light, and soul. My kids are what sustain me in this battle.
Erika hopes to make lasting memories with her kids with the little time she has left. She’s hoping they’ll spend one last Christmas together because the three will soon make a special journey together.
