Share
Holly Carter, whose battle with cancer inspired a Fresno charity helping women like her, died Tuesday.
She was 50 years old and had entered hospice in early May.
Said Carter late last year: “Every woman battling cancer wants to be seen as a beautiful valiant warrior.”
Throughout her health challenges, Carter always achieved that goal.
‘Brave, Never Backing Away’
After Carter went into hospice, Fresno resident Stuart Weil sent a note summing up the feelings of many.
“Holly, You have always been so brave never backing away from what you believed in,” Weil said. “Your friendship has been a blessing to me and memories will live forever.”
Christina Needham also posted a note, saying, “I met you briefly, you helped my family through a crisis, while dealing with your own. You are a special lady, I will always remember.”
The Face of Cancer
Carter founded The Face of Cancer, a charity to help women battling cancer feel beautiful and feminine. The organization provided cancer patients with a fantasy photo shoot.
She was also known as one of Fresno’s top publicists. Running her own firm, Carter & Co. Communications, she helped businesses and political candidates with their messaging.
In 2016, Carter ran for the open Fresno City Council seat representing northeast Fresno. She lost in the primary in a race ultimately won by Garry Bredefeld.
Cancer Returns in 2018
Last fall, Carter announced that her breast cancer, once in remission, had returned and was terminal.
“My goal was to live to be 50, and I didn’t really look beyond that, because 50 seemed pretty far away. But last year, when I was re-diagnosed and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to make this birthday, and I’m going to tell people. Because The Face of Cancer isn’t going to survive me if I don’t,” Carter told Fox 26 News.
Carter is survived by four children and three grandchildren. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at The Well Community Church, 4545 N. Palm Ave.
A gofundme.com account has been set up to help her family with funeral expenses.
RELATED TOPICS:
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
5 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
5 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
8 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
9 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
9 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
9 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
10 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
4 hours ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15173402/A-photo-provided-by-Jesse-Pope-shows-Cody-Jay-Pope-right-with-him-in-2012.-The-authorities-found-the-body-of-Cody-Jay-Pope-a-41-year-old-Minnesota-man-who-had-disappeared-two-days-earlier-after-1024x538.jpg)
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15150557/AP24197467333843-1024x576.jpg)
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15171647/Los-Hooligans-court_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15172819/President-Joe-Biden-arrives-to-speak-to-members-of-the-media-in-Rehoboth-Beach-Del.-about-the-shooting-incident-at-Donald-Trumps-rally-in-Pa.-on-Saturday-July-13-2024.-President-Biden-said-o-1024x538.jpg)
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15144853/AP24197697589922_-1024x576.jpg)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15120621/lawsuit-against-respiratory-care-facility_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
![The Wines of Fresno: Tony Kirk, Birdstone Winery](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12152749/Tony-Kirk-Birdstone-Winery-016-1-1024x576.jpg)