Carlie Rzepa was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma in 2017, and tells a powerful story of pain, gratitude, and resilience.

“The Eye on Grace Foundation has truly been a Godsend to my family and me. I was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma in 2017 after thinking I had a detached retina. Within one week of the diagnosis, I had an enucleation (eye removed). It was such a shock, and those early days were filled with tears, anger, and depression. At the time, my children were just 5 and 10 years old—and they needed their mom. Because they needed me, I knew I had to find strength. I leaned on God, prayer, and the power of a positive attitude to help me push through. I tried to focus on gratitude— to be thankful that the tumor had been found and removed—and slowly, I began to live and thrive again.

Two years later, I received another devastating call: my oncologist had found a tumor in my liver. All the tests and biopsies confirmed metastasis, and I was told there were no effective treatments. My doctor gave me 6–12 months to live. I couldn’t accept that. With my now 7- and 12-year-old children, I refused to believe my time was so short.

Through prayer, determination, and research, I found Dr. Sato at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Although my original oncologist dismissed me when I sought a second opinion, I knew I had to keep moving forward. That Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, my family packed up the car and drove to Philadelphia. I began monthly immunoembolization treatments, and for three years, my husband and I made the 8-hour drive there and back monthly. By God’s grace, it worked—nothing was spreading, nothing was growing, and I had already outlived my prognosis.

During that time, I also learned to slow down and savor life. I cherished time with my kids and husband, let go of anger, and found peace in choosing joy. But then another setback came—immunoembolization stopped working. I had to choose between ipi/nivo or a clinical trial, and I chose the trial. This required me to fly to Philadelphia every three weeks. At first, it was manageable—I could fly in for treatment and return home the same day—but in the past three years, the cost of flights has skyrocketed. Some months, it felt like we were paying for another mortgage just to get me to treatment. My husband has been working 70 to 80-hour weeks just to keep up, and the financial strain has been overwhelming.

When I heard about Eye on Grace, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I applied anyway. Being approved and accepted has been life changing. With their help covering airfare, the weight has been lifted off my family. My husband can spend more time with us, our household feels peaceful again, and we are no longer crushed by the financial stress of travel. Truly, Eye on Grace is doing God’s work here on earth—blessing families in ways they may never even realize.

From the bottom of my heart, and from my family to yours: thank you. Your generosity, your prayers, and your support are an answered prayer for us. May God bless you richly for the hope and light you bring to others.”