Who is Erika Diarte-Carr? Utah mom plans her own funeral after being given three months to live

Erika Diarte-Carr, 33, learned she has stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

Erika Diarte-Carra 33-year-old Utah mother of two faces a heartbreaking reality after being given just three months to live. The young mother was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma in May 2022 while undergoing shoulder surgery. Her journey was both physically and emotionally taxing, and in January she received another devastating diagnosis: Cushing’s syndrome.
This rare condition, caused by an overproduction of cortisol, affects only a small portion of the population — between 40 and 70 people per million, according to the National Institutes of Health. If left untreated, the syndrome can be life-threatening, further complicating Erika’s already difficult battle with cancer.
On her GoFundMe page, Erika recently shared the grim news from her oncologist. “I have three months to live,” she wrote. “Three months to spend with my babies and loved ones. Three months to make the most of the time I have left.” Her children, Jeremiah, 7, and Aaliyah, 5, are at the forefront of her thoughts as she faces the unimaginable task of planning her own funeral.
With financial concerns weighing on her, Erika explained that she was unable to work and had no life insurance or savings. “I have to make sure my kids are okay after I’m gone,” she wrote. Her original goal was to raise $5,000 to cover funeral costs and leave something behind for her children.
Through an extraordinary show of support, Erika’s story has touched the hearts of many. As of this week, her GoFundMe has raised over $840,000 from more than 29,000 donors, far exceeding her original goal. Humbled by the generosity, she plans to set up a trust fund for her children. “That way I can leave something behind for them and still ensure that they do well when they grow up,” says Erika.
Her gratitude emerges when she reflects on the kindness of strangers. “Me and my family thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” she wrote, adding: “(My children) are my whole life, light and soul. My children are my fight and what keeps me going.”
In the little time she has left, Erika hopes to create lasting memories with her children. The three will soon go on a special trip together, and she hopes they will spend one last Christmas as a family.