Stage Three Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Dear family, friends, and supporters:

On September 17th, 2023 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Triple negative breast cancer. The diagnosis came out of nowhere since I had just had my annual mammogram in November of 2022, and it came back a clear. This diagnosis left my family devastated. I am only 56 years old, have been very religious about getting my yearly mammogram.

A wife and mother of three girls and two boys (extended family), I have devoted my life to helping others. I have been a bookkeeper at the middle school for 20 years, a minister of the gospel and I do evangelistic outreach.

While the first days were a blur with word of my condition, I wasn’t about to resign. I went to the drawing board, researching alternative treatment options. I spoke with others that have or are going through the journey. As I have had two cousins to go through this journey and one currently going through as well. As is no surprise to those who know me well, I’m keeping my head held high, determined and unafraid of a less conventional route.

This is where the story pivots toward hope and where UNC Healthcare Cancer Center comes on the scene.

UNC Healthcare Cancer Center, situated on the campus of the prestigious UNC Chapel Hill University here in Chapel Hill, NC, serves as a leading hub for personalized oncology treatment. With almost ten decades of experience, UNC has consistently aided patients, often with cases parallel to mine, in surpassing outcomes seen in other renowned cancer centers. Unlike other stories which I had been told the only possible outcome was just extending my time , UNC’s exclusive, tailored treatment options and advanced integrative personalized medicine gives me a real opportunity for healing and hope. I can describe my feeling as “very encouraged” after my in-person meeting with the care team, noting their commitment, profound love, and compassion, all of which I see as integral to my successful healing journey other patients have experienced.

I have lived an amazing and full life and one that I feel, God willing, is not finished. My family is hopeful in the belief that God will bring restoration to me and that the most advanced and effective treatment will be the key to my healing. I will do everything in my power to ensure that I get the best medical care to eradicate this invasive cancer. My dream is to be healed, to see more of my children get married, to meet more grandchildren, to continue the work I love so much, and to carry on spending time with my husband George and my family. I believe that there is so much more life has to offer our me.

Insurance covers only a small fraction of her treatment through UNC, and your donation would help me cover the remaining cost of her treatment which totals over $75,000. Though the cost is high, I am hopeful that this treatment will put her cancer into remission, and anything that you can contribute would be greatly appreciated by me and my family!