Heather Hess, 31, a single mother to Sara, 13 and Kurtis, 6. The family of three lives with Heather's aunt, Jan, who took them under her wings three years ago due to financial difficulties. Jan's support is more important than ever now that Heather faces a battle with cancer. Jan drives Heather to the hospital every day and helps with parent Sara and Kurtis when Heather is too weak to do so.

Heather tries her best to hide her pain when her children are around, an emotionally and physically exhausting task.

As she sat on a bench while her children played at the local park, she said "It's the kids that get me up in the morning"