Erika Diarte-Carr, 33, learned she had stage 4 small cell lung cancer, a rare type of cancer.

Erika Diarte-Carra 33-year-old mother of two from Utah, faces a heartbreaking reality after being given just three months to live. The young mother was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer during shoulder surgery in May 2022. Her journey was both physically and emotionally demanding and in January she received another devastating diagnosis: Cushing's syndrome.
This rare disorder, caused by overproduction of cortisol, affects only a small portion of the population — between 40 and 70 out of every million people, according to the National Institutes of Health. If left untreated, the syndrome can be life-threatening and add complexity to Erika's already difficult battle with cancer.
On her GoFundMe On the site, Erika recently shared the grim news from her oncologist. “I was given three months to live,” she wrote. “3 months to spend with my babies and loved ones. 3 months to make the most of the time I have left.” Her children Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5, are at the forefront of her mind as she faces the unimaginable task of planning her own funeral.
With financial concerns playing a major role, Erika explained that she was unable to work and had no life insurance or savings. “I need to make sure my kids are okay when I’m gone,” she wrote. Her initial goal was to raise $5,000 to cover funeral costs and leave something for her children.
In an extraordinary show of support, Erika's story has touched the hearts of many. As of this week, her GoFundMe has raised over $840,000 from more than 29,000 donors, far exceeding her original goal. Impressed by the generosity, she plans to set up a trust fund for her children. “This way I can leave something for them and still make sure they're okay as they grow up,” Erika shared.
Her gratitude is expressed when she reflects on the kindness of strangers. “My family and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” she wrote, adding, “(My children) are my whole life, light and soul. “My children are my fight and what keeps me going.”
In the short time she has left, Erika hopes to create lasting memories with her children. The three will soon go on a special trip together and she hopes they will have one last Christmas as a family.