Volunteers sold more than 200 barbecue plates, with cars lining the street. The fundraiser sold out within an hour, raising over $7,000.
CARTHAGE, Texas — An East Texas woman is battling a terminal cancer diagnosis just months after being declared cancer-free from a rare form of ovarian cancer.
After initially responding to treatment, the cancer returned and spread. Now, the Carthage community is rallying to help cover her medical and travel costs as she seeks alternative care.
“Without treatment, they said I might have six months,” Monica Perry said. “With treatment, then they really couldn't tell, maybe double that.”
In downtown Carthage, friends, family and community members came together to support Monica in her renewed fight against cancer.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for her so they're not burdened during this time of her seeking treatments,” Organizer and close friend Alan Scarborough said.
Volunteers sold more than 200 barbecue plates, with cars lining the street as the fundraiser sold out within an hour.
Even after the plates ran out, donations continued to pour in, bringing in more than $7,000 in a single afternoon.
“Friends, family and the community have come together more than I ever thought. I just feel so much love,” Monica said.
Monica and her husband Russ are now looking outside the U.S., hoping holistic treatments in Mexico might give them more time and a better quality of life.
“We're not giving up,” Russ said. “We're going to seek out these other alternative medicines and see if that will help her. And we're praying for that.”
They’re using donations to cover travel and medical costs since they’re both out of work, and U.S. hospitals won’t accept her insurance.
Through it all, Monica and her loved ones continue to hold out hope that with love and prayer, she will beat the odds.
“No matter what they say, she's going to keep fighting. She's going to keep seeking any treatment she can and we're going to do everything we can to help her,” Scarborough said.
Here are several ways to support Monica and her cause. All proceeds will go directly to her. Donations can be made through:
Venmo: @Monixa-Perry
PayPal: @MonicaPerry2014
Cash App: $Mixi2
$25 T-shirt fundraiser: Available at Kimberly’s Kreations, 101 N Saint Mary St, Carthage, TX
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