COVINGTON, La. — Two years ago, WWL Louisiana shared Nicole Harris' story – a single mom in Slidell dying of cancer. When Medicaid would not pay for her to go to an out-of-town clinical trial, she ran out of hope. Her biggest concern was leaving her three children behind. Days later she passed away.
Covington's Tiffany McGary-Cyprian was watching the story
That's what McGary-Cyprian does year around, comb through social media, looking for people in need.
“By the grace of God, I've just been blessed, and I tell people that. People like, ‘You don't get paid for what you do.’ I say, ‘Every morning that I wake up, I'm blessed.’ I'm a 20-year breast cancer survivor. I'm blessed. My kids wake up, my grandchildren, I'm blessed,” said McGary-Cyprian, founder of Project Blessings All Year Round.
When McGary-Cyprian needed neck surgery, she stopped caring for patients as a registered nurse. Now, she cares for random people, strangers in need. It's a way to give back. She remembers a woman who helped her son with school supplies after her Hurricane Katrina losses when they had to live out of state. And she remembers more kindness.
“When I was in my situation with breast cancer, I was by myself with three kids. My now ex-husband decided to leave, and I had people that surrounded me in a state that my family wasn't in. And it's just knowing someone's there makes a big difference to people,” she said.
And now she is in Abita Springs for another complete stranger, Vanessa Marshall.
“It destroyed me. Like, I couldn't breathe. It's like you only get one mom, and you never in the world would think that she'd be dying of brain cancer,” said Marshall.
Looking for people in need, McGary-Cyprian saw Marshall's GoFundMe post. She is physically disabled and caring for her mom who is now in hospice. Her husband Calvin helps when he is home from work. They also watch the grandbaby during the day. Funds for the basics have run out. Medical bills are crushing them into debt. All Vanessa wants is one last Christmas celebration with gifts for her mom.
“Because it's her favorite holiday, and you know it's just something special. You know, she's always spent it with me. I just want it to be special for her,” said Marshall through tears.
McGary-Cyprian calls her mission "Project Blessings All Year Round." She asks businesses, and people for donations of items, and funds. And then a couple of days later, she makes it happen.
And there's another surprise for Marshall about her $115 utility bill.
“And the law office of Rene Frederick & Associates has agreed to pay that bill and add something to that bill for you,” said McGary-Cyprian.
“That is amazing! Thank you so much,” expressed Marshall.
An act that shows once again that yes, Vanessa Marshall, there is a Santa Claus closer to home on the North Shore.
And McGary-Cyprian has added a new mission, taking care of homeless veterans.
She and her husband have fundraisers and have given them a place to live in a home they had bought for their own retirement.
DONATION PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Fidelity Bank -Project. Blessings All Year Round
CASH APP: $ProjectBlessings
ZELLE: 985-710-5699
VENMO : @TiffanyProjectBlessings
PAYPAL: @ProjectBlessings
CHECKS: PAYABLE PROJECT BLESSINGS - mail to: PO BOX 2831
Covington, LA 70434
Donations for Vanessa’s mother with cancer can be made via GoFundMe here.