Karen Wolfe

My tattoos are deeply personal and represent two major events that shaped who I am. My right arm is a beach-themed piece in honor of my brother, who passed away from an overdose just before he turned 20. The beach was our favorite place growing up; every summer, it was our family tradition. The tattoo keeps those memories alive and keeps him close to me. I’m also working on finishing a piece on my leg to represent my battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

You are stronger than the storms you’ve faced. You carry love, loss, and survival in every line. Keep going — you’re living proof that even after the darkest nights, the sun still rises

I would first pay off the medical bills I still have from going through chemotherapy. Then I recently went through a divorce and lost everything I had, including my home and belongings. This money would allow me to start rebuilding — to provide my family with furniture again, create a real home, and pay off the debt I’ve accumulated over the last few difficult months. It would give me and my family the fresh start we desperately need.