Help Shari Fight Cancer
Donation protected
Last March when lockdown hit the US, one of my childhood best friends and I ran into each other in the middle of the woods. Shari Zimmerman and I were both staying in the same part of Long Island after living in New York City for years. We quickly formed an incredibly deep and supportive bond as we endured the hellish ride of 2020 together and rekindled our childhood friendship. We would get together often to go on socially distanced hikes and heavily relied on each other, becoming each other’s go-tos for emotional support.
Suddenly, just when we thought we were getting into a rhythm and had figured out how to cope together, in October 2020, Shari was diagnosed with uterine cancer.
The pandemic has made the past year difficult for so many people, and it has also made this process of dealing with cancer uniquely difficult for Shari. She is not allowed to have any companions or family members with her during her doctors appointments or surgeries because of COVID-19, adding an even more isolating layer to the experience of having cancer at 32.
No one should have to endure fighting cancer by themselves (let alone in a pandemic) and this is why I am asking my friends and community to support Shari during this unimaginably difficult time.
Around Thanksgiving, Shari underwent surgery to have several tumors removed from her uterus, followed by hormonal treatment to treat the cancer. The doctors were initially hopeful that this conservative surgery would be enough to get all of the cancer out of Shari’s uterus and prevent further spread.
However, after the surgery when further testing was done on the removed tumors, it was discovered that Shari’s cancer is more aggressive than initially anticipated, and these cancer cells won’t respond to the hormonal treatment plan. The only treatment option for Shari is, unfortunately, a full hysterectomy. While we are hopeful that this procedure will successfully remove Shari’s cancer, it is not a procedure that comes without other unfortunate physical costs.
Prior to Shari’s hysterectomy, she is attempting to freeze some of her eggs. She is currently doing fertility treatments and will have another procedure to remove the eggs when they are ready. Because a hysterectomy removes the uterus, the egg retrieval is necessary for Shari if she ever wants to have kids.
We are trying to fundraise to help cover Shari’s medical costs. These costs include doctor’s visits, multiple hospital stays, lab bills, numerous surgeries, cancer treatments, fertility treatments, genetic testing, and special cancer counseling.
Shari is one of the most kind, gentle, and generous people I’ve ever met in my life. She’s a huge nature buff who can identify any plant or birdsong on a hike. She loves animals, music, biology, vegan food, and is dearly beloved by all of her friends. Shari is a nurturing person whose kindness is abundantly evident when you meet her and instantly feel her warm, radiant energy.
Shari’s medical costs are unfortunately and frustratingly not fully covered by her insurance. I hope we can all make Shari feel supported and less alone during this time by helping her cover these costs. Her next surgery is in March, making the need for donations all the more important right now. I know so many people have had a difficult past year and are financially strapped - if you cannot give, we would appreciate if you share this campaign with others. Thank you all for your generosity and support.
Suddenly, just when we thought we were getting into a rhythm and had figured out how to cope together, in October 2020, Shari was diagnosed with uterine cancer.
The pandemic has made the past year difficult for so many people, and it has also made this process of dealing with cancer uniquely difficult for Shari. She is not allowed to have any companions or family members with her during her doctors appointments or surgeries because of COVID-19, adding an even more isolating layer to the experience of having cancer at 32.
No one should have to endure fighting cancer by themselves (let alone in a pandemic) and this is why I am asking my friends and community to support Shari during this unimaginably difficult time.
Around Thanksgiving, Shari underwent surgery to have several tumors removed from her uterus, followed by hormonal treatment to treat the cancer. The doctors were initially hopeful that this conservative surgery would be enough to get all of the cancer out of Shari’s uterus and prevent further spread.
However, after the surgery when further testing was done on the removed tumors, it was discovered that Shari’s cancer is more aggressive than initially anticipated, and these cancer cells won’t respond to the hormonal treatment plan. The only treatment option for Shari is, unfortunately, a full hysterectomy. While we are hopeful that this procedure will successfully remove Shari’s cancer, it is not a procedure that comes without other unfortunate physical costs.
Prior to Shari’s hysterectomy, she is attempting to freeze some of her eggs. She is currently doing fertility treatments and will have another procedure to remove the eggs when they are ready. Because a hysterectomy removes the uterus, the egg retrieval is necessary for Shari if she ever wants to have kids.
We are trying to fundraise to help cover Shari’s medical costs. These costs include doctor’s visits, multiple hospital stays, lab bills, numerous surgeries, cancer treatments, fertility treatments, genetic testing, and special cancer counseling.
Shari is one of the most kind, gentle, and generous people I’ve ever met in my life. She’s a huge nature buff who can identify any plant or birdsong on a hike. She loves animals, music, biology, vegan food, and is dearly beloved by all of her friends. Shari is a nurturing person whose kindness is abundantly evident when you meet her and instantly feel her warm, radiant energy.
Shari’s medical costs are unfortunately and frustratingly not fully covered by her insurance. I hope we can all make Shari feel supported and less alone during this time by helping her cover these costs. Her next surgery is in March, making the need for donations all the more important right now. I know so many people have had a difficult past year and are financially strapped - if you cannot give, we would appreciate if you share this campaign with others. Thank you all for your generosity and support.
Fundraising team (2)
Kelly Moran
Organiser
Locust Valley, NY
Shari Zimmerman
Beneficiary
Lisa Qiu (Fetterman)
Team member
