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By Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

Kimberly Gerlach's ruse about being diagnosed with cancer seven years ago continues to haunt her.

The repercussions have hit hardest through what the 52-year-old Gerlach says has been true diagnoses of cancer. Now, Gerlach says she has breast cancer again.

The 52-year-old Gerlach was serving prison time with work release back in 2011, when she claimed she suffered from a number of medical issues, including bladder cancer.

Gerlach provided doctor's notes confirming the diagnoses to Northampton County prosecutors, but the notes were forged.

Prosecutors only learned the paperwork was a ruse after Gerlach threatened legal action over her health concerns, and county prison officials began to investigate her claims.

Gerlach was sentenced to one to two years in state prison for perjury and forgery related to the doctored documents, in addition to the time for her theft cases.

Gerlach was paroled in July 2014, records show.

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A screenshot of the now-defunct GoFundMe page Kimberly Gerlach set up in 2015. (Image via GoFundMe | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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A year later, Gerlach created a $5,000 GoFundMe campaign that stated she was diagnosed in April 2015 with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Gerlach, who was living in Emmaus at the time, said she also had a hysterectomy for ovarian and cervical cancer.

That GoFundMe account was removed for a violation of the company's terms and conditions, but they did not detail which regulations or the specific violation.

The cancer diagnosis came up in 2016 when Gerlach was accused of stealing money from her fiance and his parents, via fake checks and a fake credit card.

Gerlach was arrested and held in county jail in lieu of bail. The jail does not disclose any medical information for any detainee.

Gerlach pleaded guilty in February 2017 to access device fraud and was sentenced to two years of probation. A contempt order was issued against Gerlach in the case in August, according to court records.

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Courtesy photo

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In June of this year, Gerlach created a new $5,000 GoFundMe page saying she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

When people began questioning Gerlach on her Facebook page and the GoFundMe page, Gerlach responded "I don't need anybodys money. I can do this on my own. Thanks for your advice. You must be one of my haters. Sorry."

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Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

A screenshot of a GoFundMe account created for Kim Gerlach in June 2018. (Image via GoFundMe | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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Now, Gerlach says her breast cancer has come back, as well as skin cancer and other medical problems.

Gerlach, who said she lives in Nazareth, posted about the diagnoses on Facebook and created another GoFundMe campaign.

The GoFundMe campaign page is no longer active. A message to GoFundMe to ask about Gerlach's campaigns was not returned.

"I know a lot of people don't believe it because of that case," Gerlach said of her diagnoses, adding the perjury case was "so long ago." "I can guarantee people are skeptical. I did the wrong thing and I know that."

Gerlach said in a phone interview that she created the GoFundMe because she has no money and was denied disability, which she said she plans to fight.

Gerlach listed a handful of doctors at Lehigh Valley Health Network she said are treating her. She initially said her doctors would not speak to a reporter.

Lehigh Valley Hospital has a media release form that patients can sign to allow their doctors to speak about a diagnosis.

Asked to fill out the form, Gerlach said she couldn't because she doesn't drive. When offered to bring the form to her, Gerlach refused and then threatened to sue The Express-Times if any information was published.

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Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

A screenshot of the October 2018 GoFundMe page set up by Kim Gerlach. The campaign has since been removed. (Image via Facebook | For lehighvalleylive.com)

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Gerlach is also grappling with new legal troubles.

In her Facebook posts, Gerlach referenced injuries from a bad crash.

Gerlach was driving a Nissan Rogue the morning of July 23 when she crashed head-on into a utility pole along Black River Road in Lower Saucon Township, township police said.

Gerlach initially denied any injuries or the need for EMS, according to police, but EMS arrived and placed her in a cervical collar in an ambulance. Gerlach was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill for treatment and police requested a blood draw.

Gerlach told officers she was looking at her cellphone to check GPS directions when she struck the pole.

Police said they found prescription medication in the SUV, and Gerlach reported taking multiple medications including Klonopin, Buspar, seizure and chemo medication.

Asked about the crash, Gerlach said she had taken Klonopin prescribed to her. Her father was in the hospital at the time and her anxiety was "high," Gerlach said.

On Aug. 14, township police filed charges of DUI - impaired ability and careless driving against Gerlach.

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The morning of Oct. 2, the day Gerlach was due in district court for her preliminary hearing in the DUI case, Gerlach posted on Facebook that she was going to get two spots of skin cancer removed.

Facebook friends replied they were praying for Gerlach and asking God to bless her. She liked each comment with a heart emoji.

"Cancer never goes away. Ugh it will kill me." she wrote in a separate post.

At the exact time the hearing was supposed to start, Gerlach posted a picture of what she said was the 18 pills she takes twice a day.

Fifty-two minutes later after posting about the skin cancer, Gerlach posted about hoping people would donate to help her.

This time, Gerlach said she had "metatic (sic) breast cancer."

After sharing a link to a GoFundMe page, Gerlach wrote, "I am try to raise money to help me please help me. I would really appreciate it if can help me I would appreciate it. Thank you and God bless."

That night Gerlach said she needed to "raise the money quickly" and was ready to move to Maryland.

Gerlach didn't show for the preliminary hearing, and the charges were sent to Northampton County Court. A bench warrant was requested, and as of Thursday was waiting to be approved by a county judge.

Gerlach said she didn't show up for her DUI hearing because she was unaware the charges were filed and wasn't notified of the hearing.

The criminal docket has the address from her driver's license, a home in Emmaus where she lived with previous fiance. Gerlach does not have an attorney yet.

Gerlach said she currently lives in Nazareth, in an ex's apartment, with her 70-year-old father.

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Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

(image via Facebook)

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Gerlach repeatedly posted links on Facebook to her GoFundMe campaign, which was ultimately taken down.

After she learned the GoFundMe campaign was removed, Gerlach asked people to send money to her home.

"Please help me. Earning money for my cancer. Thank you and God Bless plus I am going through an abusive relationship and have no were to go. I will be homeless very soon. Can anyone please help me."

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.