Natalie Durst

At 14 years old, Natalie is the oldest of the Durst children—and she carries that role with quiet grace and strength. Thoughtful and nurturing, she’s often the one her younger siblings look to for comfort, guidance, and a sense of calm in the chaos. Life hasn’t been easy, especially after her brother Peter’s battle with cancer and the heartbreaking loss of their father, but Natalie has grown into a resilient young woman through it all.
She finds peace in the pages of a good book, joy in the kitchen while cooking, and creativity through crafting. Whether she’s helping her mom, supporting her siblings, or simply making something beautiful with her hands, Natalie brings warmth and steadiness to her family. Her strength may be soft-spoken, but it’s deeply felt—and we’re so proud of the person she’s becoming.

Durst Family Story
The Durst family has weathered storms that most could never imagine. What began as a fight for their youngest son’s life became a journey marked by deep loss, relentless strength, and unwavering love.
In October 2022, Peter—the youngest of four—was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis shattered their world. For nearly two and a half years, Peter endured grueling treatments that tested his body and spirit, and stretched the family to their emotional and financial limits. Through it all, they clung to faith and each other.
By the grace of God, Peter is now in remission. Each month, his mother takes him to Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital for bloodwork, praying each time that the cancer hasn’t returned. But the fight left its mark—this summer, they learned Peter had lost nearly all hearing in his left ear due to treatment. While his right ear still functions normally, traditional hearing aids won’t help the left. The family is now beginning the long, uncertain journey toward a cochlear implant—a process that could take years.
But nothing could have prepared them for what came next.
On November 4, 2024, tragedy struck. Will, the children’s father and the family’s rock, was driving with their three oldest children—Natalie, William, and Gabriel—to pick up Peter’s prescriptions. On the way home, the car lost control, flipped multiple times, and landed upside down. Will died at the scene. The children, miraculously, survived with only minor injuries. They remember his final words: asking if they were okay.
Since that day, life has been a blur of grief, survival, and trying to find a new normal. Their mother, now a single parent, is doing everything she can to hold the family together. She had to leave her job as a preschool teacher—Will’s income had sustained them, and hers alone couldn’t. She’s now back in school at Trident Tech, working toward becoming an Occupational Therapist. It’s been over 20 years since she graduated college, so she’s starting from scratch, taking prerequisite courses and aiming to enter the OTA program in May 2026.
Balancing school, parenting, and grief has been overwhelming. Financially, the family is struggling. Emotionally, they’re still healing. Last Christmas was a fog of shock and sorrow—this year, the weight of Will’s absence is fully felt. Every milestone is harder. Every moment without him is a reminder of what was lost.
More than anything, this mother wants her children to have a beautiful Christmas. A moment of joy. A memory of light in a year filled with darkness. But with limited income and no spare time, she knows she can’t do it alone.
Your kindness, your generosity, and your time mean more than words can express. Thank you for helping families like the Dursts find hope again. You’re not just giving gifts—you’re giving healing, love, and the reminder that they’re not alone.

reading, cooking, crafting

Shirt Size: Adult Small
Pants: Size: 14 Kids
Shoe Size: 5

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