Support for the Gray Family

To our dear friends, family, and to everyone this message may reach:

We are raising funds for Jennifer & Kevin Gray, as they prepare to bring home their beautiful baby girl, Noelle, from the NICU!

Jennifer, was first diagnosed with stage 1B triple negative breast cancer in May 2019. She went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy at that time. Jennifer was in remission until May 2022 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic triple negative breast cancer, which has spread to her brain, lungs, liver, and bones. Soon after her diagnosis, she found out she was pregnant with her second child. As people of faith, Kevin and Jennifer chose to prioritize the life of their unborn child and face cancer treatment during Jennifer's pregnancy.

Jennifer underwent major brain surgery to remove two large brain tumors in June 2022, when she was 11 weeks pregnant. She and baby not only survived, but thrived! Jennifer had weekly chemotherapy treatments throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, and delivered a beautiful baby girl, Noelle, on December 6th 2022.

Noelle was born at 3lbs 2 oz and has been receiving excellent care in the NICU at Miller Children's Hospital. She is now weighing in at just over 4lbs. When she is discharged, Noelle will come home with a strict feeding protocol, to ensure she thrives and gains enough weight to stay home.

Jennifer will begin a new treatment plan starting January 10, which will include weekly chemotherapy, daily brain radiation for 5 weeks, and introduction of immunotherapy. Each of these treatments have a variety of side effects, and it is unknown how Jennifer's body will tolerate this combination of treatments. Jennifer will need to go to an average of 8 medical appts per week (oncology, chemotherapy, radiation, hydration, blood work, imaging, neurology, follow up apts for Noelle, etc.) and will not be able to take Noelle with her to many of them. Jennifer and Kevin also have a five year old son, Nathan, to care for as well!

In light of all of this, Jennifer and Kevin are in need of a full time infant care specialist/baby nurse to assist them with caring for Noelle when she is discharged home from the NICU. The timing of Noelle coming home from the hospital may coincide with Jennifer's new treatment schedule. This is a heavy financial burden, but a necessity in the current life circumstances the Gray family is facing.

Let's rally around the Gray family and raise enough funds to cover 8 hours/day, 5 days per week of full-time in home care for 5 months as Noelle transitions to life at home and Jennifer starts her new cancer treatment plan!