Utah Mom with Terminal Cancer Plans Her Own Funeral Just Three Months After Diagnosis
A Utah mother, Erika Diarte-Carr, is facing an unimaginable reality after being diagnosed with Stage 4 small-cell lung carcinoma, which has led to a terminal prognosis of just three months to live. At only 30 years old, Erika has spent the past two years battling this aggressive form of cancer. Following a disappointing appointment with her oncologist on September 18, she decided to stop pursuing treatments that doctors indicated would no longer be effective.
In her heart-wrenching GoFundMe campaign, Erika expressed her deep desire to make the most of the limited time she has left with her children, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5. “Three months to spend with my babies and loved ones,” she wrote, reflecting on the difficult journey ahead. Her campaign aimed to raise $5,000 to cover the cost of her funeral, but to her astonishment, more than 30,000 generous donors rallied around her, contributing a staggering $900,000 in just a short time.
“It happened overnight. I never expected that,” Erika shared with ABC News, clearly moved by the outpouring of support. “I never expected to have a big funeral service or so many people reaching out to help me.” She continued to express her gratitude, saying, “With the way it’s gone, I’m just in shock … just very grateful for everybody and everything that’s been there.”
As of September 29, Erika announced her intention to place the majority of the donations into a trust fund for her children, whom she describes as her “whole life, light, and soul.” Her love for them is evident in her commitment to ensuring their well-being even after she is gone.
Erika also took a moment to thank her medical team for their unwavering support throughout her journey. In May 2022, a seemingly routine visit to the emergency room for what she thought was a normal shoulder injury led to a devastating diagnosis that changed her life forever. “The doctor told me, ‘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,’” she recounted. That moment marked the beginning of a challenging road, filled with multiple tumors and extensive treatments that took a toll on her health and family life.
In January 2024, Erika’s condition worsened with the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder that causes excessive cortisol production in the body, leading to rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, and other debilitating symptoms. Despite her declining health, she has remained resilient, managing to work full-time while raising her children, taking only two months off for surgeries and treatments.
“I do have an AMAZING support system,” she noted, acknowledging the emotional and financial strain that her illness has placed on her family. Yet, even amidst this turmoil, her focus remains on the time she has left with her children and the steps she can take to secure their future. Thanks to the kindness of thousands of donors, it seems that their future is a little brighter, offering a glimmer of hope during this heartbreaking chapter of her life.
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