Meet Patty, a resilient 57-year-old single mother from Sayreville, NJ, whose journey with cancer has been anything but easy. As a mother of two grown children, Patty’s life was turned upside down when what seemed like a lingering case of bronchitis turned into something far more serious. Fatigue, unexplained bruising, and ineffective medications led her to visit her hematologist, who immediately sent her to the emergency room. It was there that she received a diagnosis that would change her life—Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

At first, the severity of her diagnosis didn’t fully sink in, but the battle ahead was more intense than she could have ever imagined. Patty endured AML twice, relapsing just 90 days after a brief remission. Her treatment regimen included grueling chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and countless complications—latent tuberculosis, an appendectomy, brain bleeds, allergic reactions to platelets, septic shock twice, kidney stones, and extended hospital stays. Each hurdle was a test of her resilience, and while the relapse pushed her into a dark place, she held onto hope and continued fighting.

Through it all, Patty found her greatest source of strength in her mother and her children, who remained by her side, lifting her up when she needed it most. She also drew support from a wonderful network of family and friends, reinforcing that she was never alone in this fight.

Despite the hardships, Patty has found joy in the things she loves. She and her daughter share a special bond over their love for the Jonas Brothers, a passion that started when her daughter was little and continues today. She also cherishes warm weather and the beach, where she feels at peace. Staying motivated has been a challenge, but she sets milestones for herself, always looking forward to what she still wants to experience with her children.

Her dream for the future is simple yet profound—to feel good, to be healthy, and to remain in remission. She knows that recovery is a long road, but she takes it one step at a time.

During this challenging journey, Patty has been out of work, adding financial strain to an already difficult situation. To help ease this burden, the Fightstrong Foundation was honored to provide her with gift cards to ShopRite, Walmart, and Amazon, ensuring she had access to essentials while she focused on healing.

To those in the Fightstrong community and anyone facing a similar battle, Patty shares a powerful message: You are not alone. There will be days of anger, days of joy, and everything in between. Celebrate the small victories—whether it’s a good lab report, a little more energy, or even just getting through a normal day. Give yourself grace. Healing takes time, and strength comes in the smallest steps forward.

Patty’s journey has proven that she is stronger than she ever believed. No matter how many bumps in the road, she continues to move forward—one step at a time.