Help Makenzee Beat Metastatic Ocular Melanoma!

In December of 2011 after experiencing blurred vision in her left eye, Makenzee Highfill went to the eye doctor for what she thought was a simple problem caused by getting serum in her eye.  Little did she know, that her life would be changed forever that day.  After numerous follow-up appointments, Makenzee was ultimately diagnosed with ocular melanoma ( a rare cancer of the eye ). 

http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/disease.htm 

With the help and support of her family, friends and an amazing team of physicians, Makenzee endured multiple surgeries and radiation treatment that involved implanting radioactive seeds inside her eye.  Because her tumor is on her optic nerve they were unable to remove it, but they were able to save her eye and a small portion of her vision. 

Anyone who knows this beautiful lady knows what a fighter, hard worker, and inspirational person she is.  She fought her way through this journey, despite a dismal prognosis and went on to live her life undeterred.  She continued to raise her 2 boys, run marathons, work in leadership roles, and eventually open her own business in 2014.  Many people who know her have absolutely no idea that she has gone through such a life-altering journey, as she is usually so focused on helping others.


Makenzee has so many beautiful gifts to offer this world, particularly her abilities to connect to, empathize with, and help others.  In January of 2017, she celebrated 5 years with no evidence of cancer and was able to use the word remission for the first time.  Unfortunately, in May of 2020, she found herself in the ER with terrible back pain.  She suspected kidney stones, but a CT scan showed numerous lesions on her liver, which is where ocular melanoma typically metastasizes.  She was referred back to her oncologist who did a PET scan that revealed many lesions on her liver that appeared to be cancer.  On June 12, 2020, she had a liver biopsy that confirmed her ocular melanoma had now, in fact, spread to her liver.

Makenzee is in for a big fight, as this type of cancer doesn't typically respond to conventional treatments.  She has met with her oncologist to discuss her options and will be seeking an integrative approach of immunotherapies, possible clinical trials, and any alternative therapies that might help extend her life.  These treatments are very costly and may involve traveling to other locations. 

Your support for this amazing lady is greatly appreciated, please know that no donation is too small and each one is received with gratitude and hope for the ability to pursue the limited options available without the added stress of an overwhelming financial burden. 

Please share this with everyone you can, as time is of the essence, and we don't want to waste a single minute in helping Makenzee - our extraordinary friend and wonderful mother of two pursue every option that is available to her.


Thank you!