Goleta Woman Raises Over $22,000 For Friend With Stage 4 Breast Cancer

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Goleta woman decided to raise thousands of dollars through social media for her friend who is battling stage 4 breast cancer.

Sylvia Suryadi was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer after finding a lump a year and a half ago.

Suryadi said, “This year within 6 weeks of the radiation, in June I was relapsing and it has spread to my bones.”

Sylvia, her husband Jaime Garcia and friend Karen Pretchel work together at Decker’s Brand in Goleta, and after 5 years of friendship, Karen is hoping to raise one year’s salary worth for the couple as they go through treatment and radiation.

Pretchel said, “I really wanted to do something for someone, also for someone that I know and care about, and Sylvia and Jaime I definitely do.”

Pretchel’s mom passed away from pancreatic cancer after only 6 weeks of diagnosis, and now she is trying to make a difference for a dear friend.

“The focus really is on Sylvia’s recovery and I didn’t want them to be concerned with anything financially, so we started a fundraising page for her,” explained Pretchel.

Through GoFundMe.com, Pretchel has reached out to co-workers, family and friends for support and she has already raised over $22,000.

Pretchel said, “I would like to raise enough to cover Sylvia’s salary for the entire year.”

Sylvia and Jaime were beyond surprised when they learned of their friend’s fundraising mission.

Garcia said, “It’s just been awesome. I don’t know, I’m just kind of shocked, you know that anyone would go out and do this for us.”

Along with the website, Pretchel will be running 3 miles every hour, on the hour for 10 hours on Nov. 8th for donations and to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.

“It’s been a moment to just acknowledge and be caring for somebody and its really easy to do. It’s not that difficult of a decision to make and to start something like this,” said Pretchel.

In November, the couple will be there cheering her on every step of the way.

Suryadi said, “She’s such a sweetheart and that she’s willing to do this for us, it’s amazing. She’s just like our angel.”

Pretchel, Suryadi and Garcia continue to push on with both with support and love for one another, all in hopes that Sylvia will live a long happy and healthy life.

To donate or get more information go to: http://www.gofundme.com/supportsylvia