Help Julie Bennett Battle Cancer

My amazing mom, Julie Bennett, (some may know her as Julie Jenkins or Julie Groves from her previous two marriages) was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma on October 25, 2022. Her cancer is so rare that approximately 300 people in the U.S are diagnosed with it yearly. It unfortunately is not curable. The cancer will come back, however, there are many people who can live for years, even ten-plus years, if they catch it early and have the right treatment with the right specialist. This brings me to her treatment plan.

She has to travel to a specialist in NYC for this. In NYC they have doctors who specialize in this type of cancer. Actually, her oncologist in NYC, the one overseeing the treatment plan, is one of the board of directors at the Mesothelioma Foundation!! They are simply amazing at this facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering, they have given my mom her best chance at life. I am just amazed with this facility and everything they have done for my mom and getting her on the road to kicking cancers butt!

Anyways, She is doing what she can here in Maine for treatment but is traveling to NYC to get most of her testing, care plan, surgery and possibly the chemo after surgery (as it's a special chemo that is placed directly inside of her).

For her surgery, she will need to spend 2.5 weeks in the big city, which is incredibly expensive in itself. Between gas, parking, tolls, hotel, food and so forth, it added up quick. We have made 3 trips so far down to the city since October. We feel confident it is the right place for her and will ultimately be the best chance at being with us longer. Before the big surgery, she needs chemo via IV as the cancer has spread, this chemo can be done here in Maine to avoid travel to NYC. It's being done in Topsham.

However, the co-pays for these medical appointments here in Maine will be $5,000!!! Which is A LOT right now. Mom is on short-term disability, but after she pays her loan and insurance she is left with $10 to $50 which has been a huge burden. She has been lucky enough for a lot of help from everyone so far and it's been a blessing, we can't thank everyone enough! Mom doesn't want me to do this, she's probably going to be mad but Between moms pay cut, all these travels, medical bills, and her normal bills, and so forth, it's clear she needs it. She also still owes medical bills from the diagnoses and surgery that diagnosed the cancer. She was in tears yesterday after hearing the copay on these treatments, the very treatment that she needs to live. I love my mom with everything, and I NEED her here, I need her not to worry about if she can afford treatment if she can afford her house bills and so forth.... This whole process had been very difficult and traumatic and I'm hoping this will help ease some of her burden.

We can't thank everyone enough for all your help this far and continued support. It truly takes a village ❤️

Help Julie Bennett Kick Cancers Butt!

*We edited our goal to $20k as someone reached out and said we should put it to $20k to ensure the fundraiser doesn't stop after we reach our original goal.*

The beautiful amazing family photo was done and donated by Jacenta Grover Photographer in oxford!