Single mother raised more than a million dollars for her funeral (8 photos)

A single mother of two, after learning that she was terminally ill, created a GoFundMe page. She hoped to raise $5,000 — enough to cover her funeral and leave a little for her children. However, people have already sent her more than a million dollars.





On May 7, 2022, Erica Carr from Ogden, Utah, was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. She has been fighting for her life for more than two years.

Erica started a fundraiser with a modest $5,000 goal. However, her story went viral, reaching people around the world, and today the goal has surpassed $1 million.

Terminal cancer has caused a rare complication called Cushing's syndrome. Doctors are giving Erica three months to live. She has decided not to continue treatment and to spend the rest of her time with her children.



Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by long-term exposure to high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is also known as hypercortisolism.

The complication made an already difficult situation worse, causing additional problems such as severe swelling and the inability to walk.





Erica has two children, seven-year-old Jeremy and five-year-old Aaliyah. She calls them her “life, light, and soul”… and what keeps her going.

After giving her the final diagnosis, the doctors told her, “We hope you have good support at home because you’re going to need it, you’ve got a long, hard road ahead of you.”



Since her diagnosis, Carr said she has been able to work full-time. In the beginning, she only took two months off for surgeries, biopsies, appointments, radiation, and chemotherapy.

"All this while being a full-time mom," Carr wrote on GoFundMe. "I have a truly amazing support system, but over time, it has taken a significant financial, emotional, mental, and physical toll on all of us."



On September 18, 2024, doctors told Erica she had three months to live.

She ultimately decided to forgo treatment and dedicate that time to caring for her two children. As she told a local TV station, “We’re planning on going on a family trip. I want them to have something special to remember me by.”

Her heartbreaking story quickly spread across social media, pushing her fundraising past $1 million



As of October 1, Carr's fundraising has reached a total of $1,109,641 - an almost unbelievable amount that she never even dreamed of raising in her wildest dreams.



Erica Carr given three months to live after developing Cushing's syndrome



"I never thought I would have such a huge funeral or that so many people would want to lend me a hand. Given how everything went, I am just in shock and disbelief and so grateful for everything and everyone who was there for me," Erica wrote on social media. "All I want is for my children to never want for anything after I'm gone. Now, thanks to this miracle, I know they won't have to worry about anything. I can rest easy knowing they'll be well taken care of."

Carr explained on her GoFundMe page that any proceeds beyond her funeral expenses will be donated to a trust fund for her children.