The most rewarding part of being a mom is feeling the unconditional love that my sons have for me. Even on my toughest days, for example, when I was going through chemo last year, my boys truly brightened up my day with their presence. I love hearing my kids read books, kick butt on the football and baseball field, and watching them flourish into thriving young men. My kids bring me so much strength throughout my cancer battle. They have a ton of energy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last football season, my son scored the winning touchdown at his flag football play off game. The team struggled in the first half, but came back in the second half and won the championship game! Both of my sons played on the same team. It means the world to me to see my boys play sports since I missed out on so much when I was sick and undergoing cancer treatment (16 grueling rounds of chemo, 25 of radiation, 4 surgeries, three seizures, multiple overnight & long term hospital admissions).

I would use some of the money to take my family to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii where my father lived before he passed away when I was pregnant with my oldest son. I would put the rest of the money towards my wedding. My fiancé has been my rock during my cancer journey and I can’t wait to marry him. Ideally, we would like to get married in the summer of 2026 if we are able to get through this last stretch of my cancer journey. Our family has suffered & has been traumatized since my diagnosis in 2023.