Donations are being collected for Heather Yocum, a Tamaqua woman who is hospitalized as she battles cancer.

“She is extremely compassionate, a woman who uses her voice and stands up for others,” explained Jennifer Miller, who started the GoFundMe for Yocum.

It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/hometown-heroes-for-heather.

Miller said that Yocum became extremely sick last year. Tests would reveal a diagnosis that no one wants to hear: the 48-year-old had advanced stage 3 pancreatic cancer.

She’s been in and out of the hospital since then and has spent the last two weeks hospitalized as her health took another turn for the worst.

“She can really use our help,” Miller said.

Donations can be as small as a few dollars — and prayers are also asked for Yocum, Miller said.

“No one should have to fight this alone” and knowing that the community is behind her is a great comfort to Yocum, said Miller, who is a cancer survivor,

Miller met Yocum at a benefit that Miller held for her best friend, Jenn (Baddick) Land, who is also fighting cancer and will soon start radiation.

“I had this benefit for Jenn, and it was very successful. Heather was there. She was there to support my friend and to find some help,” Miller said.

The two kept in touch and Miller recently started the GoFundMe with a $500 goal. The amount was surpassed recently.

“The donations have been pouring in. She needs it so badly,” Miller said. “The community really will help a complete stranger — and they are.”

Miller began her volunteer efforts with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, helps with the Schuylkill County Special Olympics, organizes concerts and special events, and is vice president of Henning’s K9s for Veterans, a nonprofit that connects shelter dogs with veterans.

Through her experience, she said, she knows that the local community cares for others.

“Tamaqua is a really great area and its people have an amazing heart,” Miller said.

As she continues her fight, Miller said doctors told Yocum that she is an “oyster shell.”

She explained, saying that Yocum loves the beauty of nature and water, she’s tough as nails — and when a problem arises, she creates magic from what’s inside of her. The magic surrounds the negative, and turns it into a pearl.

“She right now is creating a pearl, and she can’t wait to show everybody when her shell cracks open and how tough she’s been — because she’s making one big pearl,” Miller said.

Plans are for Yocum, Miller and Land to walk the Cancer Survivors’ Lap together at this year’s Relay for Life.