WESTLAND, Mich. – Chassy Horton, a single mom from Westland, is no stranger to hardship.
The loss of a child is unimaginable. A year ago, Chassy's son Lucas was diagnosed with a rare illness that took his life at only six weeks old.
"There's definitely anger, you know?" said Horton. "He was only here for such a short time, but I definitely do cherish the time that we did have with him."
Her sister Kristen remembers it like it was yesterday, saying, "When he passed away they cleared everyone out of the room for us and we were all sitting there as he was passing away and he passed away in her arms."
Chassy had to explain death to her 4-year-old daughter Kaelynn after Lucas died.
"She loves to send balloons to him. She talks to him when she's outside. Looking at pictures. Just things like that to keep him fresh in our memory," said Horton.
Now, Kaelynn is learning about something no child should have to, mommy's cancer.
"I told her how the medicine is going to make my hair fall out and I told her she can be a part of it when it comes time to shave my head and she's actually kind of excited for that part," Horton said.
In October, Chassy was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma. Although her doctor tells her she has a 70-80% chance of beating the disease, it's not enough to calm her fears.
"That's all I've thought about ever since being diagnosed. It's scary to think about if something was to happen.. leaving her," Horton said of her daughter.
Just when you think it can't get worse, life throws another curveball. Chassy is currently unemployed, making it impossible to afford necessities. Her car is in disrepair and the loss of healthcare means bills are mounting.
"I got a prescription for one of the anti-nausea medications the other day and they want $450 for 4 tablets that last me two days and it's a struggle," explained Horton.
Local 4, Charity Motors helps Chassy
On Local 4 News Morning Wednesday, Chassy was given a Ford Taurus to help her get to and from her doctor appointments.
If you are interested in helping Chassy pay for her medical expenses, her friends and family have set up a donation page: Help Chassy Horton beat cancer