Elaine Schwartz is what you might call a once in-a-lifetime friend. When we heard what she’s done to help a childhood acquaintance, we couldn’t help but share their incredible story.
Elaine has known Samantha Mietla since she was small, but neither of them could have ever imagined how deeply their bond would run. Samantha, 42, is a single mother of five who was recently diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of uterine cancer, reports CNN.
“I call this ‘the reluctant journey,’ ” she says through tears, “I mean, it is a journey. I have no choice but to fight this.”
When Elaine learned of Samantha’s condition, she sprung into action. Refusing to let her childhood friend shoulder the full weight of her sickness, she stepped in to “try to take away as much as stress and things that didn’t matter so she could just focus on healing.” She helped raise more than $11,000 through a donation page for Samantha’s treatments, which include a combination of chemotherapy and alternative treatment courses like a mostly organic diet. She enlisted local healers, reports CNN, who donated their services free of charge. Elaine is also helping around the house while Samantha undergoes her course of healing.
And apparently it’s paying off! Samantha reported that her symptoms have improved and that doctors report a positive difference since she began treatment. We wish her a full recovery and comment Elaine on her incredible acts of compassion.
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