A devoted single mother of two has sadly passed away at the age of 30 after a battle with terminal cancer - but not before ensuring her children would be financially secure in her absence.
Erika Diarte-Carr tragically passed away on October 12 at the age of 30.
Her story is not just one of immense personal strength but also of a community's overwhelming support in her final days, PEOPLE reports.
Diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma in May 2022, Erika's life took an unexpected turn from dealing with what she initially thought was a mere shoulder injury. She was instead diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and was told she had "multiple tumors" throughout her body.
Her health challenges compounded with a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome in January 2024, a rare disorder that exacerbated her condition, leading to rapid weight gain, muscle and bone deterioration, among other symptoms.
In the face of her daunting prognosis, Erika took to GoFundMe to secure her children's future and cover her funeral expenses.
"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," she wrote in the page description.
Setting an initial goal of $5,000, the campaign captured the hearts of over 38,000 donors, raising nearly $1.2 million. This incredible surge of support not only ensured her final wishes were respected but also provided a substantial trust fund for her children, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5.
Despite continuing to work and do what she could to treat the cancer, on September 18, she revealed that she had decided to stop treatment.
"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," she wrote. Tragically, her passing came sooner than expected.
Erika's cousin, Angelique Rivera, took to Facebook on October 12 to share that the doting mom had passed away and express gratitude toward the thousands who contributed.
"She fought a long and hard battle. She was strong and held on as long as she could for her babies. I know she was so thankful for all of your support and love and prayers,” Rivera wrote.
Aware of her limited time, Erika confronted the harrowing task of planning her own funeral, a decision she described as "difficult." By late September, the funds had surpassed $1 million, a testament to the widespread empathy and support her story had ignited.
By early October, the funeral services were finalized, ensuring that Erika's wishes were meticulously honored.
In an update shared to GoFundMe on October 3, she wrote: "Please know how much of an impact your support and trust has had on not just mine but my kids’ lives in such a positive way."
Our thoughts go out to Erika's family and loved ones at this time.
But in a heartbreaking story, what an incredible beacon of hope displayed by the 38,000+ donations.
