An Illinois cancer survivor has set up a GoFundMe for a Palmerton woman diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Tracy Ahrens, of Momence, Illinois, said she organized the event for Debbie Ebeley, who has been fighting cancer for several years. They met through social media.

Ebeley’s home on Lafayette Avenue is in serious need of a roof repair.

“It is leaking so badly that she has tarps over the roof, and inside ceilings are damaged,” Ahrens said. “This is bad for someone with a compromised immune system.”

When Ebeley posted on social media that she needs help, “I felt a calling to try to help her from across the miles,” Ahrens said. “I live in Illinois, and am a breast cancer survivor.”

Ahrens said that Ebeley was raised by her grandparents, and this is their home. She said Ebeley stayed at home as an adult and cared for her grandparents. She inherited their home.

“I called many, many agencies on her behalf and called two roofing companies to do free estimates for her roof repair,” she said. “As you can imagine, Debbie is tired from treatments, and channels her energy to saving her life.

“I believe we should help one another with the gifts we have been given by God. I felt my networking skills and writing skills could assist her.”

Ahrens said she created a GoFundMe for Ebeley to try to raise the funds needed to repair her roof and inside ceilings.

“Keep in mind that Debbie is on public assistance, and does not have funds to put a new roof on her home,” she said. “She struggles to make ends meet, and she has several pet birds that are her world. She has helped with animal rescue for years.”

Ahrens was referred to several programs including the Rebuilding Together national program and Habitat For Humanity, which have no Palmerton affiliates.

Catholic Charities referred her to the Carbon County Action Committee, but was told the only program option they may have was a USDA home repair loan at 1% interest, but the person has to be 62 or older. Ebeley is 60 and cannot get a loan because she cannot risk losing her public assistance.

The Carbon County Housing Authority only helps renters and HUD homeowners.

She was also referred to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and was told they offer loans at 1% interest, but Ebeley cannot do a loan and jeopardize her public assistance for health care.

Ahrens said that Ebeley has asked the pastor at her church in the past if the church could help her in some way, but they said they could not.

She also reached out to two roofing area companies to do estimates for Ebeley’s roof repair.

“They were both very kind and said they would do a free estimate for her,” Ebeley said. “One roofer has compassionately reduced the cost of the repair by $1,000.”

Ebeley said she’s blessed to know Ahrens.

“We have a love of animals in common, and have shared gifts through the mail,” Ebeley said. “She stepped up to help me a few weeks ago by setting up a fundraiser on my behalf and contacting some roofers in my area and some churches and other organizations seeking help for me in my needs.”

Ebeley explained her most pressing need at the moment is to have her roof replaced, and noted she has lived in the home that was built by her parents in 1948 her whole life.

“They were my maternal grandparents who adopted me when I was about 3 or 4 years old, and this is the only home I have ever known,” she said. “I stayed home with my parents until they passed away as their caregiver and companion, and they left our home to me as a reward for giving up my younger years to be with them.

“It is vitally important to me to save it before something happens to it. I have pet parrots, and we have nowhere else to go.”

To date the fund has raised $315 of the $8,000 goal. Contributions can be made at https://bit.ly/3mcmnSX.