A Mother's Final Farewell: Facing Terminal Cancer with Courage and Compassion

Erika Diarte-Carr, a 33-year-old single mother of two young children in Utah, has been given the devastating news that she has only three months to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the face of this unimaginable challenge, she is bravely planning her own funeral and working to secure a trust fund for her beloved children, Jeremiah and Aaliyah.

A Heartbreaking Diagnosis and a Courageous Fight

Discovering the Unthinkable

Erika Diarte-Carr's journey began in May 2022 when she visited the hospital to treat a shoulder injury. It was during this visit that she received the life-altering news – she had been diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The doctor's words were a gut-punch, revealing that the cancer had already metastasized to other parts of her body, including her skeletal system, which was the source of her shoulder pain.

Facing Adversity with Resilience

Diarte-Carr immediately began treatment, determined to fight the disease with every ounce of her being. However, her battle took an even more devastating turn in January of this year when she was diagnosed with Cushing Syndrome, a rare condition caused by an excess of the stress hormone cortisol. This new diagnosis brought a host of additional health complications, including rapid weight gain, muscle and bone deterioration, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.

A Heartbreaking Prognosis

Despite her unwavering determination, Diarte-Carr's condition continued to deteriorate. On September 18th, she received the most devastating news of all – her treatments were no longer working, and she had only three months left to live. Faced with this unimaginable reality, she made the difficult decision to discontinue her treatments and focus on spending her remaining time with her beloved children.

A Mother's Legacy: Securing the Future for Her Children

With her time running short, Diarte-Carr's primary concern is ensuring the well-being of her children, Jeremiah and Aaliyah. She has been working tirelessly to plan her own funeral and establish a trust fund that will provide for her children's future. Recognizing that she has not been able to work for several months, Diarte-Carr turned to the community for support, creating a GoFundMe page to raise the necessary funds.

A Remarkable Outpouring of Support

The response to Diarte-Carr's story has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her GoFundMe page, created shortly after her diagnosis, has already surpassed its initial $5,000 goal, raising over $1 million as of Monday morning. Diarte-Carr is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and has expressed her gratitude, stating that the funds exceeding her funeral costs will be placed in a trust fund for her children, ensuring their future is secure.

A Mother's Unwavering Love

Throughout this harrowing ordeal, Diarte-Carr's unwavering love for her children has been the driving force behind her actions. "They are my whole life, light and soul," she wrote on the GoFundMe page. "My children are my fight and what keep me going." As she faces the unimaginable, Diarte-Carr's determination to provide for her children's well-being is a testament to the power of a mother's love.