In Utah, a single mother diagnosed with terminal cancer turned to GoFundMe to raise funds for her funeral and living expenses for her two young children. Erika Diarte-Carr passed away on October 12 at the age of 30, after battling cancer for two years. According to her cousin, Angelique Rivera, Erika was the devoted parent of seven-year-old Jeremiah and five-year-old Aaliyah.
The GoFundMe page reveals that Erika was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer on May 7, 2022. Doctors found that multiple tumors in her body had metastasized. In January 2024, she received another diagnosis, this time for the rare Cushing’s syndrome, which led to a series of health complications including rapid weight gain, swelling, deterioration of muscles and bones, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and a round face often referred to as “moon face.”
Erika recalled that the doctor’s words echoed in her mind: “I hope you have good support at home, because you will need it; you’re going to face a long and difficult journey.”
On September 18, an oncologist informed her that she had only three months to live, adding the burden of planning her own funeral. In her fundraising appeal, Erika expressed her determination to make the most of the time left with her loved ones. “I have been told I have only three months left to spend with my babies and the ones I love. I need to make sure my children can live after I’m gone, and the hardest thing I must do now is plan for my own funeral.”
Despite her usual reluctance to accept help, Erika found herself in a situation where she needed financial support. Unable to work and lacking life insurance, she aimed to raise around $5,000 for funeral expenses and more for her children. “I’ve always felt ashamed and embarrassed about letting others know the truth. I tried to keep it a secret as much as possible, but the impact on my body began to take over, and I could no longer hide it.”
In a heartfelt update on October 3, Erika thanked everyone who had donated, indicating that the funds would be used for a large family trip to create unforgettable memories for her children. As of the evening of October 14, her campaign had raised over $1.18 million.
Erika expressed deep gratitude to her supporters, assuring them that their contributions would create a positive impact on her children’s lives. “I can promise you your help will provide stability for my kids going forward. I will put all the money into their trust fund.”
