Help Pam Beat Breast Cancer and Move!

My name is Kelly Hartog and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my friend, Pam DuMond.

Those of you who know Pam know her to be a caring, compassionate person, funny as hell, a wonderful writer, and a warrior woman. If you don’t know her, I’m proud to introduce her as one of my dear friends. Pam is also fiercely proud and doesn’t like to ask for help, even when she needs it. But now is one of those times. And that’s where I step in.

While some of you may know what she’s been through over the last several years, I know others don’t. Between 2016 and 2021, Pam stood up for her writing business and sued for copyright infringement (CRI) of her novel Part-time Princess. These were the most stressful years of her life. She told me then, “I’ll be lucky if I make it out of this nightmare without getting cancer.”

She wasn’t that lucky. In July 2021, two hours after Pam learned that the judge in her case had signed off on the CRI mediation agreement, she underwent a diagnostic mammogram and was told she might have breast cancer.

She got new insurance and was prepared to tackle whatever came next when she had a reaction to the COVID booster, resulting in persistent and painful lymph node swelling. An ultrasound revealed no cancer in the lymph nodes.

A few months later, in April, a biopsy revealed Pam was positive for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) — a type of breast cancer that responds well to surgery and radiation. On May 26, she underwent a partial mastectomy and the removal of sentinel lymph nodes. Her surgeon did a terrific job — the margins were clean. Pam started the first of 20 radiation treatments on July 28.

We are so grateful that the outcome was as positive as possible, but this understandably has been and continues to be a daunting, emotional, and scary time for Pam. It’s also a wake-up call.

COVID isolated so many of us and brought the ways we usually socialize to a screeching halt. While the world is now opening back up, Pam’s cancer diagnosis made her realize the best way to reduce stress and get healthy again is to move closer to her family. Pam's parents have passed, but her stepmom lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I believe one of the best ways we can all help Pam fight the battles she must fight right now is through this GoFundMe. The money raised will help Pam with her cancer fight and moving expenses from L.A. to Charlotte.

Any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated. Pam is still grateful for your kindness, positive energy, and prayers, even if you can't donate now. Please share this page with others in your circle if you are comfortable.

Thank you.

Kelly Hartog