SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Kristy Parker is part of a family she didn’t intend to join -- the sole qualification for admission into that family is having lost a child to murder.

Parker qualified for that family more than a decade ago, when her 13-year-old daughter, Cassie, was murdered by Wayne Prince.

At the time, Prince was married to Parker and was Cassie’s stepfather. According to Parker, she kicked Prince out of the house the night of the murder. He responded by getting a gun and shooting Parker and Cassie. Cassie died.

“Murder is so fast,” Parker said. “There’s that part where the emptiness is so empty.”

Gary Paz understands the emptiness. He too is part of the family that Parker involuntarily joined. Paz’s adopted son, Tommy, was slain in 2007.

Tommy, 17, was on a beach in Santa Cruz, Calif., celebrating his cousin’s graduation at a bonfire party. An altercation broke out and Tommy, who was trying to protect his sister and cousin, was stabbed. He later died.

“I absolutely would never wish on anyone to lose a child. No matter what,” Paz said.

Parker and Paz had never actually met before this week, but both acknowledged they feel a bond with the other because of their shared experience.

“We are the unfortunate members of a fraternity of parents who have children who have been murdered,” Paz said.

It was that bond that prompted Paz to write to CBS 5 News, asking to pay it forward to Parker, who he knew needed help.

Parker had survived the shooting but still suffered significant injuries. She underwent blood transfusions as part of her treatment, but she contracted hepatitis from the transfusions. Her situation is now dire.

“I guess the best way to say it is anywhere from three months to a year and a half left, the way it is,” Parker said.

After hearing the diagnosis, she started selling many of her possessions on eBay, attempting to raise enough money to move to Alaska, where there is a possible life-saving treatment that might be able to prolong her life.

Also, her brother lives in Alaska. He would be the legal guardian of Parker’s disabled adult son, Andrew, if Parker passed away.

“It’s just best that we be as close to him as possible, especially as my health declines,” Parker said.

Paz learned about Parker’s situation and knew that $500 would help her get to Alaska. Earlier this week, he gave her the $500 that we gave him.

“It was like someone turned a light bulb on in a dark room,” Parker said, describing what she felt when she heard what Paz had done. “Everything got better. It just felt better.”

Parker hopes to be able to leave for Alaska by August.