Help Teresa Dearborn Defeat Metastatic Melanoma
Donation protected
Teresa has the most amazing network of family and friends! Everybody has been exceptionally generous with offers of assistance in any way possible. In order to provide an organized method of reliably collecting financial support, it has been decided to set up a gofundme account.
On March 15, 2019 Teresa was diagnosed with metastatic desmoplastic melanoma. This Ironman finisher was in the middle of her 24th year as an elementary school counselor and training for a marathon when she noticed a lump that, after monitoring, didn’t go away. She followed up with her doctor and a subsequent biopsy revealed the unimaginable news. This rare form of cancer required immediate intervention that could not be provided within the state of Alaska. Overnight, Teresa and her family had their world flipped upside down.
On April 4, following a barrage of tests, a PET scan and an MRI, Teresa had surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. Her surgeons used large incisions to provide a wide dissection removal of all lymph nodes in her groin and upper right thigh. The removal of all lymph nodes potentially creates a lifelong struggle to prevent Lymphedema (lymphatic fluid build-up). Because of this, the doctors and Teresa’s family chose to have what’s called a LYMPHA procedure (rerouting each lymphatic vessel into a major vessel). While in surgery, there were some difficulties with the procedure, however the amazing doctors felt that all went well and the procedure is expected to lessen the chance of her developing lymphedema in the future.
On May 7th, during her third trip to Seattle, she began her year-long, monthly immunotherapy treatment. The medication they administer for the Immunotherapy is Nivolumad, which is considered a "Check Point Inhibitor". At the bottom of this entry is a link that gives some information about what Immunotherapy is and how it works.
Teresa’s heart has been filled with gratitude for all the prayers, encouragement and support she has received over the last couple months. Thanks to the incredible source of love and strength from her husband Eric, a high school science teacher, along with a very caring network of family and friends, Teresa has been able to try and focus her energy on healing.
As always, with any major medical diagnosis, there is also a huge financial burden. While they have medical insurance, it is inevitable not everything needed will be covered. Supports to off-set costs associated with such necessities such as immunotherapy, physical therapy, lymphatic massage to help with fluid drainage, supplements and medications to deal with side effects, as well as travel to and from Seattle, would mean the world to Teresa and her family.
As we learn more about her diagnosis and prognosis, we will attempt keep everybody informed as best we can. Thank you for reading about her journey, and for any level of support you are capable of providing!
Here is the link to information about immunotherapy:
https://www.seattlecca.org/immunotherapy?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIic_V1caC4gIVvxitBh1jOA1IEAAYASAAEgKbm_D_BwE







On March 15, 2019 Teresa was diagnosed with metastatic desmoplastic melanoma. This Ironman finisher was in the middle of her 24th year as an elementary school counselor and training for a marathon when she noticed a lump that, after monitoring, didn’t go away. She followed up with her doctor and a subsequent biopsy revealed the unimaginable news. This rare form of cancer required immediate intervention that could not be provided within the state of Alaska. Overnight, Teresa and her family had their world flipped upside down.
On April 4, following a barrage of tests, a PET scan and an MRI, Teresa had surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. Her surgeons used large incisions to provide a wide dissection removal of all lymph nodes in her groin and upper right thigh. The removal of all lymph nodes potentially creates a lifelong struggle to prevent Lymphedema (lymphatic fluid build-up). Because of this, the doctors and Teresa’s family chose to have what’s called a LYMPHA procedure (rerouting each lymphatic vessel into a major vessel). While in surgery, there were some difficulties with the procedure, however the amazing doctors felt that all went well and the procedure is expected to lessen the chance of her developing lymphedema in the future.
On May 7th, during her third trip to Seattle, she began her year-long, monthly immunotherapy treatment. The medication they administer for the Immunotherapy is Nivolumad, which is considered a "Check Point Inhibitor". At the bottom of this entry is a link that gives some information about what Immunotherapy is and how it works.
Teresa’s heart has been filled with gratitude for all the prayers, encouragement and support she has received over the last couple months. Thanks to the incredible source of love and strength from her husband Eric, a high school science teacher, along with a very caring network of family and friends, Teresa has been able to try and focus her energy on healing.
As always, with any major medical diagnosis, there is also a huge financial burden. While they have medical insurance, it is inevitable not everything needed will be covered. Supports to off-set costs associated with such necessities such as immunotherapy, physical therapy, lymphatic massage to help with fluid drainage, supplements and medications to deal with side effects, as well as travel to and from Seattle, would mean the world to Teresa and her family.
As we learn more about her diagnosis and prognosis, we will attempt keep everybody informed as best we can. Thank you for reading about her journey, and for any level of support you are capable of providing!
Here is the link to information about immunotherapy:
https://www.seattlecca.org/immunotherapy?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIic_V1caC4gIVvxitBh1jOA1IEAAYASAAEgKbm_D_BwE
Fundraising team: Team Teresa (5)
Meghan Swanzy Foster
Organizer
Eagle River, AK
Teresa Dearborn
Beneficiary
Erin Donohue Boyer
Team member
Susanne Balmer
Team member
Trill Schroeder
Team member