A Utah mother’s heartbreaking journey to plan her own funeral after a devastating cancer diagnosis has sparked an overwhelming wave of support, raising over $1 million for her children’s future.
At a Glance
- Erika Diarte-Carr, 30, diagnosed with Stage 4 small-cell lung carcinoma, given 3 months to live
- Mother of two children: Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5
- GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses raised over $1 million
- Majority of donations to be placed in trust fund for her children
- Planning her own funeral to ease burden on family
A Mother’s Sacrifice: Planning for the Unthinkable
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Erika Diarte-Carr, a 30-year-old single mother from Utah, finds herself facing the unthinkable task of planning her own funeral. Diagnosed with Stage 4 small-cell lung carcinoma and given a mere three months to live, Diarte-Carr has chosen to confront her mortality head-on, determined to ease the burden on her family in her final days.
The diagnosis came as a shock when Diarte-Carr visited the emergency room for a shoulder injury on May 7, 2022. What seemed like a routine visit turned into a life-altering moment as doctors discovered the cancer had already metastasized to other parts of her body, including her skeletal system. The situation took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome on January 17, 2024, an extremely rare condition affecting only 40 to 70 people per million.
Utah mom raises over $750k for own funeral after terminal cancer diagnosis https://t.co/0pr58rdrlB
— KX News (@KXMB) September 28, 2024
A Mother’s Love: Securing Her Children’s Future
Despite her grim prognosis, Diarte-Carr’s primary concern remains her two children, Jeremiah (7) and Aaliyah (5). In a bid to secure their future and cover her funeral expenses, she launched a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $5,000. The response has been nothing short of miraculous, with over 30,000 donors contributing to a fund that has now surpassed $1 million.
“I have been given 3 months to live. 3 months to spend with my babies and loved ones,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “3 months to make the best of what time I have left. During these next couple of months I need to make sure my kids will be ok after I am gone. I am faced now with the most difficult thing of planning my own funeral.”
This overwhelming show of support has allowed Diarte-Carr to not only cover her funeral expenses but also establish a trust fund for her children, ensuring their financial stability long after she’s gone. It’s a bittersweet victory in the face of tragedy, showcasing the power of community and the enduring strength of a mother’s love.
Confronting Mortality with Grace and Gratitude
As Diarte-Carr navigates her final days, she’s chosen to face her situation with remarkable grace and gratitude. Despite the initial shock and embarrassment of her diagnosis, she realized the importance of seeking help and support. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community in times of crisis.
“It happened overnight. I never expected that,” she told ABC4. “I never expected to have a big funeral service, or a lot of people reach out and help me. With the way it’s went, I’m just in shock … just very grateful for everybody and everything that’s been there.”
As Diarte-Carr spends her remaining time with her children, whom she describes as her “whole life, light and soul … and what keeps [her] going,” her story continues to touch hearts across the nation. It’s a stark reminder of the preciousness of life and the enduring power of a mother’s love, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
