Donna - A Helping Heart of Gold in Need of Help

In the heart of Loxahatchee, Florida, there is a beacon of compassion and generosity named Donna Russo. For over a decade, Donna has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those in need through her incredible organization, Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee. As the founder of this remarkable 501C3 charity, Donna has touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families, spreading hope and joy throughout the community. Now, Donna is fighting Stage 3B Breast cancer.

Donna began back in 2013 when she came across a Facebook post about a family in distress. Sharon Rose V., had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, she had two young children and she needed assistance while undergoing treatment. Donna began organizing a giant yard sale that raised more than $4,000 for Sharon and her family.  She even took care of Sharon's children, allowing her to attend chemotherapy without worry.  Knowing that this family would need additional help, a community BBQ was planned, and, an additional $6000 was raised. The impact of this gesture inspired Donna to continue her mission of helping others. She tirelessly organized charitable events, kid zones, garage sales, bingo fundraisers, candy drives, toy drives, food drives, back-to-school drives, clothing drives, and she worked closely with the local schools, pre-schools, homeless shelters, churches, and businesses to provide financial assistance to others while extending a compassionate touch to those combating unexpected illnesses.

Over time, Donna's dedication knew no bounds. She rallied the community to come together for children like Kiki, who battled brain cancer, and Dave Stewart, who fought stage IV throat cancer, for the children of Amanda Notebaret, who passed away in a car accident, for Antonio who sustained a brain injury when shot with a pellet gun, for Steven Thomas who was thrown from a bull and sustained spinal injuries, the list goes on.   The love and generosity shown during these events not only touched the lives of the individuals they aimed to help but also showcased the immense power of a compassionate community. But this journey didn't stop at organizing fundraisers. Donna went above and beyond, collecting and providing food, clothing and essential items for homeless families, child daycares, and local elementary, middle and high school students with the greatest financial needs. Donna recognized the tremendous impact that unity and support can have on the lives of those facing adversity.

Over the past 9 years, Helping Hearts compiled lists of,150-300 families per year, in need of sponsors for the holidays. Every year Donna reached out to the community, appealing for assistance in sponsoring children or families or even purchasing toys and non-perishable food items. The response was always remarkable, with individuals and businesses stepping up to provide gifts, meals, and necessities for children and families across Loxahatchee and Palm Beach County.

In 2021, Donna and her family contracted Covid19, and Donna's family childcare business became increasingly difficult to maintain. Severe back issues, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and the need for spinal surgery forced her to close her beloved daycare of 25 years.  Now, Donna is facing her most difficult battle—she has recently been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer with metastases to her axillary lymph nodes and breast skin. This unexpected turn of events has shaken Donna and her family to the core. As she bravely fights this disease, she now needs some support and love from the community she has served so faithfully. The road ahead is a challenging one. From the extensive travel required for treatments, first in Boca Raton and now in Jupiter, to the mounting medical expenses, the financial burden is overwhelming.

Before Donna's cancer diagnosis, Helping Hearts continued to make a difference in the lives of local individuals. In April 2022, the non-profit organized a community Easter Egg hunt, which attracted over 1000 attendees. The event was a resounding success, bringing joy to children and families and creating lasting memories for all who participated.

This June, Donna shared an update on her medical journey. The results from her MRI and PET scans revealed that a minimum of nine axillary lymph nodes are affected by cancer. It also revealed that Donna's cancer is very rare and aggressive.  Inflammatory breast cancer spreads in weeks, so seeking the best care possible, she scheduled appointments with Anderson Cancer Center, located in Jupiter. Chemotherapy, a grueling process, is set to last approximately six months. Donna will endure treatments every two weeks initially, with weekly sessions following the initial stage. After chemotherapy, Donna will undergo a double modified radical mastectomy, radiation therapy will follow, and finally immunotherapy.  Immunotherapy will be a lifetime treatment, but, Donna remains hopeful, channeling her strength and determination to face each step of her treatment with unwavering resolve. She understands the challenges that lie ahead, but her indomitable spirit shines through, lighting a path of hope for herself and those around her. Throughout her journey, she continues to educate herself about her condition, diligently learning about the specific characteristics of her cancer and the available treatments.

In the coming weeks, critical decisions lie ahead as Donna awaits the news of whether the cancer has metastasized beyond the numerous lymph nodes, breast and breast skin. Despite the uncertainty, she remains resilient, continuing with her chemotherapy in hopes of shrinking the cancerous cells. It's important to note that Donna's cancer is more difficult to treat because her cancer has spread to her skin and lymph nodes. However, with hope as their guiding light, Donna and her family are determined to face this challenge head-on. Adding to their burden, due to her previous illnesses and the illnesses of her husband, Donna & Ed were compelled to sell their family home of 26 years, for fear they would lose their home due to the financial burdens of, not only her illnesses but the illnesses of her husband Ed's as well.  Ed has also been fighting his own health battles, stage IIIb Chronic Kidney Disease, after seven spine and neck surgeries Ed is suffering from complete spinal failure, as well as heart disease. The weight of these combined challenges has made their journey an arduous one. 

Through it all, and after 37 years of marriage, Donna and Ed remain hopeful that there is a brighter tomorrow waiting for them. Although the cancer she faces is highly aggressive and rare, only 1%-5% of diagnosed breast cancers develop into inflammatory cancer, the double-modified radical mastectomy is the next step in her treatment plan. During this surgery, the entirety of both breasts and the skin covering both breasts will be removed.  The expenses associated with travel, medical consultations, copays, and treatments accumulate rapidly. Donna's situation is made more complex by her husband Ed's health battles. Together, they face not only the physical and emotional challenges of their illnesses but also the financial burdens that come with extensive medical care.

During her chemotherapy treatments, Donna discovered a way to make a difficult and very time-consuming treatment, for both, patients and their caregivers, just a little bit easier. The "Comfy Chemo Bags", are tote bags filled with goodies that can be used during and after treatments.  These bags are lovingly filled with coloring books, colored pencils, mints, binders, calendars, card games, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Tylenol, mini first aid kits, socks, journals, toys for the children, mouthwash, snacks, a package of thank you cards, lotion, arts & crafts, tissues, clipboards, book markers, chapstick, wipes and pictures or notes of encouragement that are drawn or written by local children and families, available to patients.  The hope is to show others we care about them and what they are going through.  

Today, we ask for your support, your generosity, and your kind hearts. Donna Russo, a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to helping others, now needs our help. Your donations, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference in her fight against breast cancer. We implore you to share this story with your friends, family, and anyone who might be interested in helping someone who has done so much for others.

To make a donation or learn more about Donna's journey, please visit the Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee website at www.helpingheartsandlives.com. 

Your support, generosity, and prayers are deeply appreciated by Donna, her family, and the countless individuals whose lives she has touched throughout the years.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee