A mother from Utah, who initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover her funeral costs, has passed away after a two-year struggle with terminal cancer.

Erika Diarte-Carr, only 30 years old, passed away on Friday, as confirmed by her cousin Angelique Rivera. As a single mother, she was raising two children, 7-year-old Jeremiah and 5-year-old Aaliyah, in Ogden, located about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City.

“She has reunited with her mother Sylvia, her brother JJ, and her uncles Chava and Loui in the afterlife. She fought a long and arduous battle, displaying immense strength as she held on for her children,” Rivera shared on Facebook.

On May 7, 2022, Carr was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, with doctors discovering that multiple tumors had spread throughout her body, based on her GoFundMe page details.

On January 17, 2024, she was diagnosed with Cushing Syndrome, a rare condition caused by very high levels of the hormone cortisol. This led to various serious health issues, including rapid weight gain, swelling, muscle and bone loss, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and facial changes known as Moon Face.

In her GoFundMe, Carr recalled that her doctor’s words resonated with her: “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.”

Carr given 3 months to live in September

An oncologist informed Carr on September 18 that she had only three months to live, adding to the challenge of planning her funeral, according to updates on her GoFundMe.

“I have three months left to live. Three months to share with my children and loved ones. Three months to make the most of my remaining time,” Carr expressed. “Throughout these next months, I must ensure my kids will be all right after I’m gone. I am now faced with the heartbreaking task of organizing my own funeral.”

Though Carr typically did not accept help, she felt compelled to ask for financial support due to her dire situation. Her prognosis meant she could not work and lacked life insurance. She aimed to raise approximately $5,000 for funeral costs and additional funds to “provide some security for my children.”

“I have felt embarrassed about others knowing the reality of my situation. I have tried to keep it hidden for as long as possible, but the physical consequences are becoming undeniable,” she wrote.

GoFundMe surpasses $1 million

With the funds, she planned a memorable family trip to create lasting memories for her children.

“Most importantly, I promise that your generosity will ensure my babies’ financial stability for the rest of their lives, as I will be placing it all into a trust for them,” Carr wrote.

She expressed heartfelt thanks to donors for positively influencing her children’s futures.