Charlene's Cancer Challenge

Hi, my name is Mary Ellen, and I am asking for donations to help my little sister and her family with the expenses they will incur as we prepare for the end of her life.

On August 12, Charlene and her family received the shocking news that it appeared she had cancer in multiple places. This was confirmed to be true on Monday the 22nd following an MRI and a liver biopsy. She was diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic bile duct cancer.

There had been no symptoms or warnings of any kind, and it was only because Charlene felt a bulge in her upper abdomen the night before that caused her to seek medical attention the very next morning. Unfortunately treatments did not work for her and Steve and Charlene made the brave decision to stop the treatments that are making her so horribly sick and let her enjoy her remaining days with her family. Unless God chooses to intervene with a miracle, her days here on earth will be coming to an end.

As many of you know, Steve and Charlene have two boys. Bryce is 21, is currently enrolled at IRSC, and works with his Dad. Connor is 19 years old, just graduated from high school in May, and is presently attending the SAILS program during what used to be his school day. Connor was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, has a neurogenic bladder and bowel, and significant Autism and requires full-time supervision and care. He also requires yearly medical appointments in Orlando and ongoing care related to the conditions he was born with. Charlene had been his primary caregiver and advocate for all things related to his schooling, care, and ongoing medical issues. Connor is primarily nonverbal in the traditional sense. Steve is self-employed and owns an irrigation company.

For many years, Charlene has been involved in her church, Christ Fellowship, and in organizations that do a wide variety of things to help those in the military and our veterans. She has poured her heart and time into these efforts and truly cares. Besides her family, her two great passions are the veteran and special needs communities.

Many, many of us have also benefited from her crazy good cake decorating skills for all kinds of occasions, as well as enjoyed many of her delicious baked goods.

Now her family, friends, and the many lives she has touched, in a wide variety of ways, have the opportunity to help Charlene, Steve, and their boys as they face the daunting journey that lies ahead. There will be many expenses in the coming days, and we'd love to remove the burden of them worrying about this by raising money to help with funeral and burial expenses when that time comes.

Above all, please continue to pray for the Owens family!!