Christine Appleton’s Epic Cancer Odyssey

Below is a video with a look into the last four years and includes clips from a story Aunica Koch did for the local news in 2019. Note: the clips from the interview do shrink to a smaller screen but hopefully you can still see/hear it well enough.

Before I tell you about Christine's intense journey with more than one form of cancer, let me tell you about the woman. She is kind, brave, a wife, a loving mother, a friend, a brilliant mind, and an active part of the charity community. She contacted me after several years apart to ask for my help in raising the much needed funds to give her access to the tools she needs to defeat cancer (one more time). Although I am normally the hired gun to fuel the financial abilities of non-profit organizations, this time, I am an unpaid advocate and friend fighting to give Christine the chance to prove to all of us that cancer can be beat no matter the odds...AND SHE NEEDS OUR HELP! My name is Letitia Frye. I am known throughout the country as America's foremost Auctiontainer, earning this title by raising millions of dollars for charity as a benefit auctioneer. All that aside, I am here today for Christine (Finnegan) Appleton. Christine and I met back when she lived in Arizona and worked in the non-profit industry; I was hired to raise funds for her employer. Funny how sometimes a seemingly every day encounter can give way to a far more meaningful relationship. As a professional non-profit fundraiser, I know the importance of every dollar! If you are so moved to support her family, she will forever be indebted, no matter the amount! If your finances don’t allow it, I understand! I ask that you please say a prayer in gratitude that Christine will soon have No Evidence of Disease and share her story (this link) with your network.

Here’s a quick recap of Christine's last 4 years:

-Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (& ileostomy placed) at the age of 41 in November 2016 followed by lots of complications affectionately known as “the shit show” to her family and close friends.
-Breast cancer diagnosis January 2017
-Very scary allergic reaction to Taxol (chemo) January 2017
-On oxygen and a feeding tube January-May 2017
-WEEKLY chemo for 5 months January-May 2017
-Bilateral mastectomy (without reconstruction) June 2017
-NED (No Evidence of Disease) May 2017-November 2018
-Ovarian metastasis to the brain December 2018
-Brain Surgery at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah December 13, 2018
-Targeted brain radiation February 2019
-NED March 2019-March 2020
-Vision issues started March 2020
-MRI found 2 small spots in brain (likely causing the vision issues) August 2020
-Targeted brain radiation (again) September 2020 (it did eliminate the spots found in August)
-And that leads us up to now…

Four new metastatic spots on her brain and an extremely high probability of cancer cells in her spinal fluid. Yes, Christine may be knocked down, but she will get back up again like she has with every other challenge and she needs all of us cheering in her corner. 

The day after she got the news a friend told her…“your life is priceless, let people help”...that friend was RIGHT!

How can you help Christine and her family? 
1. say a prayer and/or send healing vibes
2. support this fundraiser with a donation of any amount
3. share this link with your network of family, friends and co-workers
4. send money directly to Christine via Venmo, @Christine-Appleton-2
5. purchase leggings, sports bras, dresses, tops etc. from Christine’s online boutique, http://www.savvi.com/cmadreamteam/shop

Christine has a  long road ahead, but she does NOT need to take that road alone. She is currently waiting for results from MRIs of her entire spine and a chest/abdominal CT scan.  Then, she'll anxiously await forthcoming recommendations from her GynOnc (MT) and also recommendations from the Tumor Board at Huntsman Cancer Institute (SLC, Utah) which she was told would include one option of placing a port/shunt DIRECTLY into her brain for chemo. Since Christine & her family always want to look at all the available options, she is also communicating with a fully integrative clinic that can offer treatments SPECIFIC to her genetics and her cancer mutations. This will require extensive labs to get as specific as they can with her treatment…genetically targeted fractionated chemo (GTFC) coupled with very specific complementary treatments. This clinic does not accept insurance which obviously increases her expenses. Either option Christine chooses will involve months of time she needs to be separated from her husband, Bryan, and their 2 kids which will be difficult on all of them! Both conventional and integrative treatment options will come with extreme costs, not to mention the expenses related to her extended time away!

There are still several unknowns and the amount needed for treatment will vary depending on the options she is presented. All money raised will be spent on her treatment and treatment-related expenses (now and in the future.) Any leftover money will be used for any ongoing maintenance treatment Christine needs and living expenses. 

Cancer takes a toll on one’s physical, mental and emotional health. It takes a toll on relationships and finances and so much more! BUT, with our help, Christine can continue to grow her perspective, meet amazing new friends, experience daily reminders that she can do hard things, and have an appreciation for all the little moments, BECAUSE OF YOU!

Christine says, "If you know my kids, please respect their privacy. As you can imagine this isn't a topic of conversation they talk about with most people. Thanks for understanding!"

You can learn more about the non-profit Christine wants to start and catch up on her journey the past 4 years on her blog, http://www.beawesomelivefit.com/news

After watching the video above, if you want to see the full interview with Christine and Aunica, click here 


2/11/21 9:25am An important and exciting update: we have a donor that will match every donation in the next 10 days  up to $12,000. WE MET THIS MATCH! Thanks to all who helped!!Christine & Bryan are beyond grateful! 

2/18/21 9:00am - It's been 1 week since we launched this campaign. In honor of that, there is another match for all donations made in the next 24 hours. The donor wants people to realize that the $5-$20 (which most people don't think makes a difference) really does add up! Until 9:00am Friday 2/19/21 every donation (up to $1000) will be matched! Please share! Also, there is an update from Christine today, including a video message.  WE MET THIS MATCH AS WELL...THANKS!

3/7/21:  Important Match info! In honor of Christine starting treatment this week, we have another very generous match offer. An anonymous donor has pledged to match donations up to $1500 between 3/7/21 and Wednesday 3/10/21. Every dollar helps Christine and family with expenses related to this journey, including travel, food and medical expenses. Please share far and wide to get the word out and help us reach our goal! WE MET THIS MATCH AS WELL...THANKS!

3/20/21-We have a huge offer for a match up to $10,000 for all donations made by Friday 3/26 at 11:59pm PST. That is the last day of Christine's 2 week whole brain radiation treatment! Thanks for donating and sharing! Forever grateful for this match to celebrate treatment ending! WE MET THIS MATCH and appreciate the love and support!