Tera Dial is a dedicated wife, mother of two teenagers, and a Palliative Medicine LPN at Carolina Caring for over five years. Known for her hard work and commitment to the mission, Tera’s journey took an unexpected turn about a year ago. 

During a regular shift at Robinson Rd, Tera began experiencing heart, back, shoulder, and arm pain, along with pale lips and shortness of breath. Initially dismissing it as heartburn, she continued working until her leader, Cathy Lewis, and other team members insisted she seek medical help. With dangerously high blood pressure, Tera’s husband rushed her to the emergency department.  

There, tests revealed a 100% blockage in her heart—she had experienced a “widow maker” heart attack. Miraculously, she survived and has since undergone two heart stents, multiple hospitalizations, and faced numerous medical challenges, resulting in significant expenses and missed work. 

Carolina Caring Staff rallied to Demonstrate Unwavering Support:  

• Custom T-Shirts: Jason Meyer designed T-shirts with the message “it beats. it breaks. it loves. for you. which were sold to raise funds for Tera’s medical expenses.  

• Fundraising Efforts: Approximately 100 staff members raised over $3,000. Cathy Lewis noted, “It was amazing and overwhelming to see how many staff supported this cause even when they didn’t know Tera but were simply connected through the mission of Carolina Caring.” 

• Emotional Support: For the past six months, Tera has been healthy, stable, and back to work full-time. Reflecting on the support she received, Tera shared, “It made me feel special to know that people came together on my behalf to help me and my family during this time. I would like for everyone to know how much my family and I appreciate the compassion and kindness through this unexpected journey.”