Help Meg win the Battle of the butt against cancer
Donation protected
In March of 2019, Meg underwent a colonoscopy after experiencing some worrisome symptoms. After a month of further tests, imaging, and examinations, she was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer. An approximate year-long treatment plan was created by her UNC Rex Hospital team (Go HEELS!) and the battle to beat cancer began shortly thereafter with chemotherapy.
It's hard to believe it is already September, and the first portion of treatment is complete - ten weeks of IV chemotherapy DONE! Now six weeks of radiation therapy starts next week. While the celebration of the completion of the chemo-coaster ride brings relief and happiness, it's also hard to believe how much all of this costs.
We were informed last week that the oral chemotherapy meds that will accompany radiation therapy will cost over $200 after insurance. This gets added to the expenses and bills for every other treatment and visit that are literally piled up and still piling. One surgery to insert a port for IV treatments just to receive chemotherapy was over $6,000 after insurance.
The reality is that the out of pocket expenses to fight this disease and cure this illness are fast approaching $10,000 and will easily surpass that amount by the time Meg runs out of paid leave from work in November. She may also have to go onto a Cobra insurance policy or pay out of pocket around that same time as she prepares for the second of her surgeries - the one that will hopefully remove the tumor completely. After that, two additional surgeries will be performed - one to reverse a colostomy and the other to remove her IV port.
Anyone who knows Meg knows how incredibly generous and thoughtful she is. After college, she spent several years working with homeless kids in Oregon and Alaska - at first through a two-year stint in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and then in a chosen career position as a youth advocate. After working with teenagers in a social work capacity throughout most of her 20s, Meg shifted her efforts to help youth through the teaching profession - a career that is now in its 24th year. Meg is beloved by her students and has devoted countless hours to their education as well as to their emotional and physical well-being, often buying supplies, food, or other things for those in need. She is also the first to organize and contribute to collection efforts for sick and bereaved friends and co-workers. Now she needs help.
Please consider being a part of this fundraising initiative if you can and/or share this site with anyone else who would want to help. While we all have high hopes that she physically recovers from this illness, without the help of others, the financial recovery from this burden for her and her family is unlikely to be remedied anytime soon. Any donation will be more appreciated than you know and will certainly ease the financial worries that are taking her energy away from focusing on healing.
It's hard to believe it is already September, and the first portion of treatment is complete - ten weeks of IV chemotherapy DONE! Now six weeks of radiation therapy starts next week. While the celebration of the completion of the chemo-coaster ride brings relief and happiness, it's also hard to believe how much all of this costs.
We were informed last week that the oral chemotherapy meds that will accompany radiation therapy will cost over $200 after insurance. This gets added to the expenses and bills for every other treatment and visit that are literally piled up and still piling. One surgery to insert a port for IV treatments just to receive chemotherapy was over $6,000 after insurance.
The reality is that the out of pocket expenses to fight this disease and cure this illness are fast approaching $10,000 and will easily surpass that amount by the time Meg runs out of paid leave from work in November. She may also have to go onto a Cobra insurance policy or pay out of pocket around that same time as she prepares for the second of her surgeries - the one that will hopefully remove the tumor completely. After that, two additional surgeries will be performed - one to reverse a colostomy and the other to remove her IV port.
Anyone who knows Meg knows how incredibly generous and thoughtful she is. After college, she spent several years working with homeless kids in Oregon and Alaska - at first through a two-year stint in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and then in a chosen career position as a youth advocate. After working with teenagers in a social work capacity throughout most of her 20s, Meg shifted her efforts to help youth through the teaching profession - a career that is now in its 24th year. Meg is beloved by her students and has devoted countless hours to their education as well as to their emotional and physical well-being, often buying supplies, food, or other things for those in need. She is also the first to organize and contribute to collection efforts for sick and bereaved friends and co-workers. Now she needs help.
Please consider being a part of this fundraising initiative if you can and/or share this site with anyone else who would want to help. While we all have high hopes that she physically recovers from this illness, without the help of others, the financial recovery from this burden for her and her family is unlikely to be remedied anytime soon. Any donation will be more appreciated than you know and will certainly ease the financial worries that are taking her energy away from focusing on healing.
Organizer
Katie Hennenlotter
Organizer
Pittsboro, NC