A sick single mom forced to crowdfund her own funeral has been given more than $1 million dollars by kind-hearted strangers to safeguard her children’s future, according to her fundraising appeal.
Erika Diarte-Carr, who lives in Ogden, Utah, with her 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, had set up the appeal on June 26 with a modest target of just $5,000 to cover her funeral costs. But the financial milestone has long been surpassed after her heart-breaking story went viral last week.
The 30-year-old revealed she had been battling a rare cancer called Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC) after receiving a shocking terminal diagnosis two years ago when she sought medical help for what she thought was just a sore shoulder. She said she had finally been forced to ask for financial help this summer because she had now become too sick to work and the end was drawing nearer.
She updated her GoFundMe post on September 18 to explain that she had now been forced “to discontinue treatments as they will no longer help.” Her oncologist told her she had just “3 months to live,” Diarte-Carr said, adding: “3 months to spend with my babies and loved ones […] 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.”
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The news subsequently spread about her appeal, as readers shared her post online.
And the fundraiser suddenly went viral in recent days, sparking a huge flood of donations.
As of Monday morning, the total stood at $1,039,732, donated by more than 35,000 well-wishers. Several news outlets began to pick up the story, including CIO Women Magazine, which shared a picture on X (formerly Twitter) of the mom and her children in happier times.
Newsweek has reached out by email to Erika Diarte-Carr seeking comment.
An updated statement on Diarte-Carr’s GoFundMe page says that the money will be placed into “a trust fund for my babies” Jeremiah and Aaliyah, so she “can still ensure they are going to be ok as they grow up.” She described her children as “my whole life, light and soul. My children are my fight and what keep me going.”
But asking for help had been tough for her, she said. “Anybody who knows me, knows that I am a very reserved, quiet and private person. I have always been independent and I am used to doing everything on my own for me and my children. So, please understand that it is hard for me to put my personal business out there today and to finally ask for help.
“These last 2 years I have been silently battling a rare terminal cancer.. Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma.
“On May 7th, 2022, the day before Mother’s Day, I walked into the emergency room due to what I thought to be just a normal shoulder injury and walked out diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer along with the doctor’s words replaying in my head, ‘I hope you have a good support system at home because you’re going to need it, you have a long and hard journey ahead of you.’ The doctor than proceeded to tell me that there were multiple tumors that had metastasized to other parts of my body including my skeletal, which is how we were able to find the tumor that was causing my shoulder pain. By that point the damage had already been done. In that moment, mine and my kids’ entire lives had changed forever, as well as all of those around us.”
She initially had to take around two months off work for various surgeries, biopsies, appointments, and radiation and chemotherapy sessions, she said, explaining that she was able to continue working full-time “while still being a full time mama” until very recently. However, her health deteriorated rapidly in January this year, she said, and her appearance had changed drastically.
“I have been ashamed and embarrassed for people to know the truth, that I have kept this a secret for as long as I could but the physical effects are starting to take control and I can’t hide it any longer. I’ve never been good at accepting or asking for help but unfortunately, I believe I’ve come to a point in my life and health where that is no longer an option for me. I am no longer able to physically work which has put a major financial burden on me.
“I understand we all go through hard times so anything helps.. Whether it be your love & support, a donation, sharing my story, or sending love, prayers, positive & healing vibes. All is accepted and very much appreciated.”
She also used her GoFundMe statement to thank her loved ones and those around her. “I do have an AMAZING support system but over time it has put a major financial, emotional, mental and physical toll on us all,” she said. She also paid tribute to “my amazing medical team for all of their time, care & patience,” and she name-dropped several doctors and specialists who had helped treat her. “Me & my family thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts!” she told them.
But her post ended with a sad update, added on September 18, following an appointment with her oncologist. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the best news. Due to my prognosis, I have decided to discontinue treatments as they will no longer help. I have been given 3 months to live. 3 months to spend with my babies and loved ones. 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.
“Due to me not being able to work for months now I do not have any finances saved up or any life insurance set aside for this situation. I have looked into the expenses and I am needing to raise about $5,000 to ensure funeral costs are covered plus I’m wanting to leave something behind for my babies. If you could please donate or share anything would be appreciated.
“THANK YOU. And a huge thank you to all of you who have already donated!”
She could not have been expecting what happened next.
Diarte-Carr will now be able to spend her remaining time with her family free from financial worries, and safe in the knowledge that she has provided for her children’s future; thanks to the help of well-wishers, the two children will be financially secure.
Several donors took to the comments section to pay tribute to the ailing mom as they made their contribution. “Erika, I hope your heart will rest easy knowing the world is already caring for your sweet kids. Best wishes and deepest condolences to you. My heart is with you and you family,” one wrote.
Another added: “The way you’re handling this situation is a testament to your character. I’ve been thinking about how your children are so lucky to have such a loving and resilient mother. Your love and dedication to them will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on their lives.”
