Support Renae's Fight Against Stage IV Lung Cancer

Hi, my name is Eric Vere and I’m reaching out on behalf of my girlfriend, Renae Torres. My life turned upside down 8 months ago when my mother passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. Renae was there with me every step of the way, loving me and supporting me with my mother’s battle. Just when life was seeming to return to our normal routines, we got hit with unimaginable news—Renae’s life-changing diagnosis of Stage IV Lung Cancer.

While we should be enjoying our youth by planning the next fun weekend trip or looking forward to our next favorite band being in town, we now must put the life we had been imagining together on hold. Having already watched someone I love fight this same cancer that Renae now has, I know better than anyone the battle that awaits and the toll it will take—mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Now is not the time to be at a loss for words, it is the time for action, which is why I—along with Renae’s mom, Leslie, and closest friends—have created this GoFundMe in a heartfelt call for support.

About Renae:

Renae has brought joy, comfort, and laughter wherever she goes throughout the 30 years her life. She is a caretaker through and through—lending a shoulder to cry on or an open-minded ear to all who know her. Renae has touched and changed many lives for the better through her work at My Possibilities (a program for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), Plano ISD, and now in her own practice at Connect to Thrive as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Outside of her professional pursuits, Renae attends her creative side with painting, drawing, and crafting, spending quality time with her cats, Calcifer and Luna, and dog, Olive, or running the occasional 5k with her mom.

The Challenge:

With the diagnosis of Stage IV Lung Cancer, Renae is facing an uphill battle that includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. These treatments are not only physically and emotionally taxing but also come with significant financial burdens. While receiving treatment, Renae is determined to continue helping her clients as a LCSW, enjoy time and make more wonderful memories with her friends and family, and live life to the fullest.

Renae, with the guidance of her oncologist, is combining conventional treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy with holistic, integrative approaches to support her healing. Each dose of chemo and immunotherapy alone can cost between $20,000 and $25,000, and as her treatment plan evolves based on how she responds, the total expenses remain uncertain. Insurance covers only a portion of these costs and does not include certain tests or any holistic treatments.

We want Renae to focus her energy on healing, not on the financial burden of medical bills, missed work, hospital stays, travel for treatment, and other out-of-pocket expenses. While we are doing all we can to support her, we are sharing her story to help ease this stress and give her peace of mind so she can fully focus on her fight and prioritize her treatment.

Of course, Renae has never imagined having to be in a position where she would need to ask for help, but we know sometimes it's okay to lean on others when life takes an unexpected turn. Your generous contributions will help cover the direct costs of her treatment. We are hoping to keep Renae focused on healing and staying strong without any worry of how to make ends meet.

Renae is deeply humbled by the support she has already received from friends and family after her diagnosis, and it means the world to her to know that so many people are sending their love, prayers, and positive thoughts. If you are able to contribute, whether big or small, it will make a world of difference. If you are unable to donate at this time, simply sharing this page and keeping Renae in your thoughts is appreciated more than words can express.

“I am going to beat this. I am going to live a long, happy life, enjoy more good times with good people—which means I have years upon years ahead of me because I have the privilege of knowing so many good people that I can’t wait to make more amazing memories with, once I have beaten this cancer.” – Renae

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and even kind-hearted strangers. Your generosity provides not just financial relief but also emotional strength for Renae to continue fighting. We know that Renae can face this challenge head-on and together, we will get her through this!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this journey.

We will keep this page updated with Renae’s progress and any new developments. Your continued support and prayers are greatly appreciated.