US Woman Dies After Raising $1 Million for Her Children
A woman from Utah, Erika Diarte-Carr, has passed away after receiving overwhelming support for her young children through an online fundraiser that raised over $1m.
At 30 years old, Erika revealed her battle with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and the financial struggles she faced in June through a GoFundMe campaign. She expressed her initial hesitation in asking for help but shared that she could no longer work due to her deteriorating health.
Diagnosed in May 2022 with stage 4 terminal cancer and later with Cushing Syndrome in January 2024, Erika highlighted her motivation to fight for her children, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5.
Despite being given a prognosis of three months to live in September, Erika chose to discontinue treatments and set a goal of $5,000 for her funeral expenses and to provide for her children.
On 18 September, Erika’s cousin confirmed her passing on Facebook, acknowledging her resilience and the immense support she received. By Tuesday, the fundraising total surpassed $1.2m through GoFundMe.
In her final update on GoFundMe, posted on 3 October, Erika expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and financial support, ensuring that her children would be taken care of in the future.
Erika’s legacy lives on through the memories created with her children and the financial stability provided for them through a trust fund.
Despite her passing, Erika’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by those battling small cell lung cancer, which has a high rate of early spread, according to Cancer Research UK.
