Heather's Cancer Journey: Palmer's Education Fund

Heather is a beacon of light in the lives of everyone who knows her. Her unwavering positivity, kind heart, and love for her family are evident in her contagious smile.

As a devoted wife to Dennis and mother to her beloved 4-yr-old daughter Palmer, Heather's greatest wish is to ensure a bright and secure future for her family, especially when it comes to Palmer's education.

Heather’s Story:

In December 2022, Heather was diagnosed with uncurable stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that spread to her liver, spleen, stomach, thyroid and bones. At this point, a brain MRI showed that the cancer had not spread there. She began chemotherapy immediately and even continued her work as a hair stylist during her treatments. She loves her work and clients so much! Within a couple of weeks after her final chemo treatment in April, she was feeling so much better and more like herself again. The treatments were shrinking her cancer and stabilizing her body.

An unfortunate turn of events occurred during Heather’s 2nd brain MRI in August 2023. She learned that the cancer had spread to the spinal cord fluid surrounding her brain (called leptomeningeal metastatic). This cancer is extremely rare, leaving not much research or options. Heather has been receiving vaccine trial treatments in and out-of-state as a best option to save her life.

As of March 2024, Heather continues the fight of her life. The experimental vaccine trials that she has undergone over the past several months have unfortunately not worked as she had hoped. The leptomeningeal disease is still prevalent and there are at least 28 new spots on her brain. She is about to begin a new trial that has shown promising results paired with the vaccine that she was just on.

Facing terminal illness is an unimaginable challenge, both emotionally and financially. By contributing to this fund, you'll be helping to bring peace to Heather's family while ensuring a bright future for Palmer. Let's stand united in celebrating Heather, her love, and her commitment to her family's future.

This fundraiser was organized by the team at J.Con Salon and Spa in St. Petersburg, Florida where Heather has worked as a top-tier hair stylist since 2013. The beneficiary of the fundraiser is her daughter Palmer via Heather's mother, Maryann Blum.