Anyone whose lucky enough to know Valerie DeCaro-Garcia, knows she’s funny, a survivor and a dedicated mother to her three children (Dominic, Anna & Luca) and doting grandmother to Violet, as well as an amazing friend. Recently, Val and the kids had made a big move out of the city for Anna’s education and to be closer to Violet. In a time that should have been filled with joy, Valerie was very quickly diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer , stage 3B metastatic melanoma that had spread to her lymph nodes. She has since undergone surgery to remove the lymph nodes and started treatment for her cancer. The doctors are fighting this at a stage 4 level that includes a year of immunotherapy. The doctors are hopeful on this course of treatment and a blessing that Val’s move put her close to City of Hope for her treatments. The immunotherapy unfortunately leaves Val exhausted, sick, and in need of being away from the public. It is because of this that her friends have come together to get her aid for the mounting medical costs, contactless delivery for food or groceries, and aid in services for her home that she would normally have had the strength to tackle. Thank you for taking the time to read Valerie’s story. Much Love, Val’s Pals