Helmick Family (Rare Kidney Cancer)

My name is Tracy Poyneer and I’ve set up this fundraiser on behalf of Melissa Helmick + her family.

Here’s their story // In March 2020, Melissa’s Renal Cell Carcinoma “RCC” mass was discovered. Her partial nephrectomy surgery was March 23, 2021, which resulted in being diagnosed with malignant Chromophobe RCC. It is one of the rarest kidney cancer subtypes of RCC (only 5%) with little to no research available on adjuvant treatment beyond surgery. Around March of this year, she developed an incisional hernia and superior mesenteric artery syndrome as a result of the nephrectomy. In addition, her Oncologist is monitoring several lung lesions. Due to severe low blood pressure issues, she has been referred to a Cardiologist and experiencing severe low energy levels. Her next surgery is scheduled for January 17th, 2022 and her husband is unable to take time off of work. Daily tasks such as cooking has become hard on her. Melissa, her caretaker husband, John and their three children, Stephen, Calliope, and Ozias, need financial and meal support for Melissa’s future care: numerous doctors visits, co-pays, labs, scans, bloodwork, RXs, and possibly future surgeries/procedures. Meal train has also been setup on her behalf.

 

Because kidney cancer is a rare disease, many kidney patients struggle with finding information about their diagnosis, aren’t prepared for the financial impact and find it difficult to connect with others facing the same challenges. Melissa was able to connect with a small group of five other women to help raise $50,000.00 via KCCURE for future research of her rare subtype. It’s now time we help Melissa, John and their children get through this difficult financial journey.