Support Danielle Stark and Family

This story is slightly different than most.

Think of this…40-ish Widowed Mother of three boys, 18, 15, and 11. The 18- & 11-year-old both have special needs. She gets engaged to her southern gentleman, Frank Murphy. They try and live a happy and “normal” life as most do. Then April 2021 happens. After two years of trying to receive an answer for her discomfort, she is told something she didn’t expect.

A Myxoid Liposarcoma had invaded her right gluteus maximus muscle and surrounding soft tissue. A measurement of 17cm x 13cm x 16cm automatically made her have Stage 3 Sarcoma cancer. Five weeks of 25 radiation treatments were next. Then there was major surgery on August 6, 2021. The entire month of August, Danielle called Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital her home.

Instantly, Frank becomes the only parent home. Taking on the roles of mom and dad proves difficult. He then is let go from his full-time employment. Unemployment falls through which leads this family to live solely on their savings. Frank continues to visit Danielle almost daily, while still being the kid’s support team. Danielle is video calling as often as she could trying to convince her babies that she will be just fine and home soon.

Fevers of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit, five blood transfusions, and countless surgeries to debride the bacteria left behind by the six-pound tumor. "Fredrick and Freddy the Freeloader" have become the name the family gave to this invasive tumor. Humor is their favorite coping mechanism.

Amazingly, Danielle is somehow still alive today. After three close calls at the hospital, they are trying to be optimistic. Frank being the kindhearted soul he is, attempts to keep their homelife at a somewhat normal pace. Joshua, 18, with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (intellectual & behavior issues) and Chase, 15, has already lost their father to Strep-A Liver/Blood infection in May of 2008. Cole being only 11, has Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and abandonment issues. Mom being diagnosed with cancer makes all three of their lives turn upside down.

A cancer diagnosis is incredibly scary to everyone involved. Lots of ups and downs fill this family and their daily lives with nightmares and worry. Frank losing his job has been the game changer. With their savings now depleted, the bills are piling up and causing constant stress for this couple. Danielle’s recovery is now in month five with many more months to come. Her next scheduled scan is in the works to check for any metastases, which the doctors insist will happen. Then she starts treatments and or surgeries all over again.

Both Danielle and Frank are private and are a humble couple. Frank made sure to provide and set money aside, but they had no idea it would be paying for this way of life. They are however, at the end financially of all of their savings. Any help you would consider, would be greatly appreciated and would not go without notice. Prayers are very much welcome as well for the family.

Thank you and God Bless!