Family of a single mother who raised $1.2 million for her children as she died from cancer held a candlelight vigil for her ahead of her funeral.
Erika Diarte-Carr died in Ogden, Utah, on October 11 after a long battle with a highly aggressive form of small cell lung carcinoma, aged just 31.
She began planning her own funeral after she was given the devastating diagnosis, and hoped to raise $5,000 to pay for it.
Instead, thousands of people around the world amassed more than $1.2 million, with all excess funds to be held in trust for her children Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5.
Mother-of-two Erika Diarte-Carr has died of terminal cancer, but not before she raised $1.2 million for her children Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5
Carr’s funeral will be held on October 23 at the local Leavitt’s Mortuary, and her family held a vigil on Thursday night.
‘She was everything to me, and she was the person who I could run to and that was always there for me through everything,’ her sister Vanessa Barnes said.
Gina Barnes, Carr’s other sister, said her children were ‘having a really hard time’ but were helped by the community’s support.
‘We’re just trying to grieve together and just kind of really show people who Erika was. She was a great person, really kind-hearted, soul.’
Jeramiah was baptized by The Genesis Project in Ogden on Sunday morning as prayers and baptismal blessings were said for his younger sister.
Lead Pastor Matt Roberts told the congregation that Erika’s last wish was to be baptized, as well as her children.
Utah mother-of-two Diarte-Carr has died of terminal cancer, her family has confirmed in heart-wrenching social media posts
Her diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease led to her deterioration after her treatment stopped, causing her to be as sick as she was before she died
He told those who had gathered: ‘This family is heading into unprecedented times but today we celebrate the legacy that a Mom has left behind for her children.’
Carr’s family shared gut-wrenching monochrome photos of her after she died in bed, with her face obscured by a heart emoji.
Two relatives were shown embracing in grief just a few feet away, while another black-and-white shot appeared to show the mom in bed during her final moments.
‘RIP my beautiful angel, forever in our hearts and never forgotten,’ her cousin, Angelique Rivera wrote. ‘I’ll see you on the other side my boo.’
Her shock terminal cancer diagnosis came after walking into the emergency room with only a shoulder injury three years ago.
She was given the devastating news just one day before Mother’s Day in 2022, before learning on January 17 this year she also was living with Cushing Syndrome.
This caused her to rapidly gain weight, more than 60lbs in a matter of weeks.
Diarte-Carr’s cousin posted a black-and-white image of a relative hugging her young son as his mother lay dying in the bed beside them
Diarte-Carr (pictured in her final days) passed away at the age of 33, relatives confirmed
Carr began experiencing muscle and bone deterioration, high blood pressure, Moon Face and Type 2 Diabetes.
She told ABC 4 that Cushing’s also prevented her from being able to walk.
The single mother kept working full time for as long as possible, only taking two months off for appointments, surgeries, biopsies, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
‘I have been ashamed and embarrassed for people to know the truth that I have kept this a secret for as long as I could,’ she wrote on a GoFundMe page, ‘but the physical effects are starting to take control, and I can’t hide it any longer.’
Treatments stopped when her scans began clearing up, but her Cushing’s dramatically impacted her health and quality of life in the following months.
‘Three months to spend with my babies and loved ones,’ Diarte-Carr wrote shortly before she died, ‘three months to make the best of what time I have left’
Carr kept working full time for as long as possible, only taking two months off for appointments, surgeries, biopsies, radiation and chemotherapy treatments
She said her Cushing’s disease was one of the main reasons her health deteriorated so much to where she is now.
Carr ceased her treatments in September, as they were no longer effective, and was told she only had three months to live.
‘Three months to spend with my babies and loved ones,’ she wrote, ‘three months to make the best of what time I have left.’
Carr explained that she wanted to spend time with her children without being sick from treatments and medications.
Saying all her energy now goes towards her kids, and she wanted to ‘just make the best of it’ in the time left.
She was now faced with the difficult duty of planning her own funeral, and ensuring her children would be looked after.
Asking for help in any way, she launched the page with a $5,000 goal to be used for her funeral expenses and support for her kids after her death. The fundraiser has since surpassed more than $750,000.
‘Due to me not being able to work for months now I do not have any finances saved up or any life insurance set aside for this situation. If you could please donate or share anything would be appreciated,’ she said.
She began a fundraiser, asking for help in any way anyone could, with a $5,000 goal on GoFundMe to be put towards her funeral and help support her children after her passing
‘All the funds that have exceeded my funeral cost will now be put into a trust fund for my babies, that way I can leave behind something for them and I can still ensure they are going to be ok as they grow up,’ Diarte-Carr wrote
Diarte-Carr then gave an update to those who had or will donate that she had ceased her treatments, as they were no longer effective, and was told she had three months to live
Her cousin Rivera shared a heartbreaking photo of her children hugging their mother on a hospital bed and that her story touched the hearts of many.
‘We are at a loss for words and could never say thank you enough,’ Rivera wrote.
Viewers of the post reached out in the comments offering help and support to the family anyway they could.
‘Is there anything else we can do? Meals? Halloween costumes? Her story has touched so many!! Praying for her and her sweet babies.’ wrote one.
Another commented: ‘Omg I’m praying so damn hard for her comfort and for her sweet babies who will have to navigate without their mommy. This story ripped me apart. Please God watch over these beautiful people.’
Plenty of others offered help to the children and Carr in her final months, with toys, donations, food, and asked how they can get involved.
Carr ceased her treatments in September, as they were no longer effective, and was told she only had three months to live
Her community in Ogden, Utah, offered plenty of help and support to the single mother and her family offering meals, toys, food, money and prayers as well as any help they could give
She thanked those that have contributed, writing: ‘All the funds that have exceeded my funeral cost will now be put into a trust fund for my babies, that way I can leave behind something for them and I can still ensure they are going to be ok as they grow up.’
Carr also expressed her gratitude for her medical team in Ogden for their ‘time, care and patience’.
‘Me and my family thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts!’, she said.
She added: ‘[My children] are my whole life, light and soul. My children are my fight and what keep me going.’
Five-year-old Ailiyah told ABC 4: ‘She’s special to us.’
The family are planning a camping trip, and they hope the children will be able to experience another Christmas with their mom.
