Community Comes together for Tianna Carter

A local 30 year old woman, a stylist at New Reflexions Salon in Portsmouth, is engaged in the struggle of her life. Her specific type of cancer, a very little known and poorly understood variety, only revealed itself to her doctors after it reached “stage 4,” a virtual death sentence for the vast majority of cancer patients.

Tianna Carter received the news about her diagnosis in the most unusual way. As a stylist living in Portsmouth and then Dover, she had complained about a pain in the back of her leg. Her coworkers encouraged her to get checked out by a doctor and just a few days later, she was told she had Clear Cell Sarcoma, a rare disease that typically affects women in their 20’s and early 30’s. She learned about her diagnosis the day before she was married.

Since that day, Tianna and Chris Carter were married. Surrounded by loved ones, the couple looked ahead to the future. The ceremony was beautiful by all accounts, a celebration of the optimism of love, rather than a premature memorial to the living bride.

There is a sign on Lafayette Road, just outside the salon, which reads “Support Tianna Carter.” It’s an appropriate message, because Tianna’s supporters believe they can influence fate. Ask residents up and down Route 1 who Tianna is, and everyone is clued in.

Tianna is an amazingly positive and caring woman. For about six months, this author had his hair cut by her, and she never complained about her cancer, about nausea brought on by chemo, about anything... not once. Her strength is inspiring. Her passion for life is contagious.

Tianna works when she can. There is a backlog of clients trying to book any appointment with her that they can. Even through chemotherapy and experimental drug trials, Tianna calls in whenever she can to take on a shift. Her medical expenses, which cover trips to some of the world’s best hospitals in Boston, however, have quickly dwarfed her steady income. The couple is soon to be tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. The price of living is extraordinary.

Supporters of Tianna from the Seacoast and beyond have arranged a fundraiser for her, which will be held this Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion in Portsmouth. The hall seats about 150 and through word of mouth on social media over 300 people are scheduled to attend. Tianna’s friends and family are hoping for the problem of having more people in attendance than they can handle.

Sadly, the latest news, as of the date of this writing, is that Tianna has been transported to Boston for a dangerously low white blood cell count. The community is optimistic and hopeful that this weekend’s fundraiser will give Tianna an additional chance at living, at spreading happiness, and starting a family.

To support Tianna, please go to gofundme.com/glsldw or visit the American Legion, 96 Islington St. in Portsmouth on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Submitted by Christopher Buck.