I have tested positive for the PALB2 Mutation gene, which is a relative of the BRCA gene (the one that Angelina Jolie has).

I have 4 children - 20, 17, 13, and 8. I am also very happily married for 21 years!

Every woman on my mother's side of the family that has died, has died of breast cancer. My sister, who also has this gene, was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago - during a routine mammogram. This type of cancer has a 100 percent growth rate. After 7 different types of chemotherapy, my sister went from stage 1 breast cancer, to stage 4. She has a few months to live.

I have a 70+ percent chance of getting breast cancer, and a 40+ percent chance of getting ovarian cancer.

With four children, the youngest of whom is 8, a double mastectomy is really my only hope. I will also need reconstruction of my breasts.

The next surgery is to have my ovaries removed. Ovarian cancer is very hard to detect, and is almost always in stage 3 or 4 before it can be detected.

Two days ago, I received a letter from my insurance company that stated they would not pay for any part of my surgeries. Not one dime. I had my surgeon and genetic counselor send them all of my genetic information, including my family history, and still the answer was no.

My children need their mother! My husband has a full time job, and I tend to the every need of my children. They are loved so much! They need me to love them. They need me to be an advocate for them. They need their mom to live. Especially my 8 year old daughter, Gracie Love, who needs a mother to teach her everything a girl needs to know while growing up.

I am not a person who would normally ask for donations. I used to be the person who gave donations. Now, I am asking for your help.

My bills for just the breast surgery and reconstruction will total well above $50,000.00.

Having my ovaries removed is another 20,000.00.

Without help, these surgeries are not possible. We are a middle class family, and have no extra money for trips, lavish items, let alone surgery.

With every ounce of my heart, I am asking for help, any help that you can provide. If not for me, please consider my children. Zak, Ben, Jordan, and Gracie.