Several months ago, after I left my home in Seattle to come to Mexico, my best friend Steena called me with some wonderful news—she was pregnant with her second child. She was overwhelmed with Joy. Then a couple of months later, I received another phone call from Steena. This time, the news was not good. She has breast cancer.

Steena has been undergoing some chemotherapy but her pregnancy makes it difficult to treat the tumors aggressively. Her baby is due in September, however they may have to induce labor early in order to perform a mastectomy to save her life.

She has a two-year old daughter who loves her and needs her, and a supportive and loving husband who is doing all he can to pay for the skyrocketing medical costs not covered by insurance. He will soon have to take an unpaid leave of absence to care for his wife and daughter and with a new child on the way, this young family faces financial ruin.

Steena has been like a sister to me, and after loosing my own sister to breast cancer in 2000, this news hit me like a ton of bricks. Steena has been and continues to be one of the most amazing angels ever to walk this earth. She cares about the world, recycles, is a vegetarian, picks up litter, feeds the birds, writes letters, volunteers, helps the homeless, cares for the sick and elderly, speaks out against injustice and cruelty, I could go on and on, but in short, she is my hero. Steena is the kind of friend who will go out of her way for you. She remembers birthdays and sends hand-made cards. She will defend you and stand up to the biggest of bullies on your behalf. She sits with you when you're tragic and holds your hand and will be silent with you if that's all you want. She never judges, she just lets you be...

My Birthday is coming up on August 3rd. Many of my family and friends have asked me what I would like for my birthday. This year, for my birthday, there is nothing in the world I want more than to be able to help my friend so she and her family can focus their energy on healing.

Her brother Eric has set up a web site to collect donations to help Steena and her family. it's www.4sxc.com/.

I am asking everyone I know if they would be willing to donate any amount (no amount is too small).

I know many people are understandably skeptical about appeals like this. I don't blame them. But I'm hoping that some of my friends will see this as an opportunity to help a family in desperate need. Steena is my friend, and I love her. I've lost one sister already to this disease and I don't want to loose my dearest friend in the whole world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Rob Cochran