Dedicated Nurse of 37 years

For 37 years, my mom (Mishell) has dedicated her life to caring for others as a nurse. She has spent countless nights, weekends, and holidays at the bedside of patients — comforting families through their darkest moments and showing up when people needed her most. For her, helping others has never been just a job. It's who she is.

To our family, she is so much more than a nurse. She is our heart. She's the one who always shows up, who puts everyone else's needs before her own, and the person we turn to when life gets hard. She has spent her whole life giving, without ever asking for anything in return.

Recently, our world was turned upside down. My mom was diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome, a serious condition that disrupts the heart's natural rhythm. After frightening symptoms and a lot of uncertainty, she underwent surgery to have a pacemaker implanted. We're incredibly grateful the procedure was a success — but her recovery means she has to step away from work for several weeks.

Three weeks may not sound like much. But for someone living paycheck to paycheck and holding an entire household together, it's an overwhelming burden. The bills don't stop when your health does. Rent, utilities, insurance, groceries, and everyday expenses keep piling up while she focuses on healing.

Anyone who knows my mom knows how hard this is for her. She has always been fiercely independent — the helper, never the one being helped. Asking for support is the last thing she would ever choose to do. But after giving so much of herself to her patients, her family, and her community for nearly four decades, we're hoping others might help carry a little of the weight she has carried for so long.

If you're able to give, any amount — truly, any amount — goes directly toward keeping up with essential living expenses while she recovers. And if you can't donate, simply sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, prayers, and generosity during this difficult time. We're grateful for everyone who takes a moment to read her story. After a lifetime of caring for others, we hope we can come together to care for her.