Pictured are Baylee Stebbins, Mike Wells and their two sons. The couple from Watts Flats are both currently fighting cancer and fundraisers have been set up for them by their friends and family. Submitted photo

HARMONY — Friends and family have begun raising money for a couple from Watts Flats located in the town of Harmony near Panama who have both been diagnosed with cancer.

The end of 2023 has been hard for Baylee Stebbins and her husband, Mike Wells. Stebbins was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early fall, and Wells was hospitalized over Christmas break and is waiting for a diagnosis of his newly found cancer.

Friends of the family have started a Venmo, and Panama Rocks owner Jonathan Weston has started a GoFundMe under the name “Helping Baylee and Mike.”

“Baylee is one of the nicest people you will ever meet,” Weston said. “She has worked part-time for the Panama Rocks for the last two summers, but I have known her since we went to high school together. Her two boys also go to school at Panama Central, so we often see her at school pickup.”

Wells is a mechanic and is the family’s main source of income. Stebbins has just begun undergoing radiation treatment.

“Baylee, Mike, and their kids are racking up medical bills, gas to get to medical appointments, as well as normal expenses,” Weston said. “With both parents fighting cancer, neither can work right now.”

Weston said the Venmo was set up by Samantha and Erik Anderson. He added that while this family is not one that would normally ask for help, both fundraisers have been set up in consultation with the family.

“We are hoping that enough people will donate to help them so that they don’t have to worry about how they can make ends meet while they are fighting cancer and taking care of their boys,” Weston said.

Stebbins’s Venmo is under the name “@Baylee-Stebbins.” Weston’s GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/helping-baylee-and-mike.

There is no end date in mind for either fundraiser, as Weston said the family will be having to deal with this for the foreseeable future.