A mother who is battling a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer says she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received since her diagnosis.

Melissa Riche, a 40-year-old mom of two, received the devastating news a few weeks ago that she has inflammatory breast cancer.

She is currently undergoing treatments, but has a long road ahead.

Riche describes her treatments as being “taxing,” both physically and mentally.

The woman lost her father to cancer when she was just nine-years-old.

Riche recalls having to watch her dad be sick, and now she is watching her kids go through the same thing, but she is trying to keep things as normal as possible.

She does say, however, that it is hard to keep going – especially during the holidays. However, she is trying to stay positive and hopes she will be cancer-free eventually.

Riche is a self-employed hairstylist, and her husband was recently laid off from his job.

Riche’s sister has started an online fundraiser for the family, which to now has raised over $6,000, which she calls “completely overwhelming.”

Riche says the support has “meant the world” to her, saying the money will be used to ease the stress of paying their bills and helping with their kids’ Christmas while she undergoes treatment.