Community Rallies To Help Coast Guard Wife Battle Cancer

RIVERHEAD, NY — During her darkest hour, friends and family are coming together to help support a local Coast Guard wife battling cancer.

A GoFundMe page,"Hope for Nikki!" was created by Chloe Gray on behalf of Nichole Abbott.

"Nikki Abbott is battling the hardest journey of her life and she needs our help," the page reads.

Abbott, 31, has been married 7 years to her "supportive Coast Guard husband Jay and they have a 5 year old son, Rayland," the page says. "Anyone that knows her would describe her as a ray of sunshine, selfless, strong and hardworking. Nikki is the most amazing mother and the proudest Coast Guard wife."

About a month ago, Abbot discovered a large mass on her breast and was advised that she needed a biopsy of the mass and lymph node, the page said.

"The biopsy revealed that she has breast cancer. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer has unfortunately spread to the lymph node that was biopsied," Gray said.

Her treatment plan will consist of chemotherapy for the next 4 to 6 months and then surgery; she will be having a port inserted for her upcoming chemotherapy, Gray said.

Abbott, who works as an orthodontic assistant and photographer, will need to take a leave of absence from work for her appointments, chemotherapy treatments, surgery and recovery, Gray said.

"The emotional and financial burden of surviving and fighting breast cancer is a challenge at any stage of life," she wrote. "Please help in any way you can. Nikki needs our support. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is a warrior and will put up a fight," she said. "Thanks to everyone for all your love and support on Nikki's journey ahead."

To donate, click here.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.