Support Kristy's Fight Against ACC
Donation protected
At the end of May, Kristy went to Upstate Medical emergency room with severe back pain looking for answers. In the days following her ER visit, she was admitted and received shocking news that she has cancer that has spread throughout her body. The cancer has spread to her spine, lungs, and brain and includes a tumor that is the size of a large orange on her kidney. After weeks of waiting and two different biopsies, Kristy has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Adrenocortical Carcinoma, more commonly known as ACC, which is extremely rare and aggressive and affects about 0.02-0.2% of adults (only about 1 adult per million is diagnosed each year).
Due to the severe damage on her spine, Kristy has had to undergo a spinal fusion surgery. Unfortunately, the tumor on her kidney is too large to remove, so while she is recovering from surgery, she will begin very aggressive chemotherapy. Kristy will be experiencing a lot of side effects from the aggressive treatments, which will leave her unable to work for the unforeseen future. Given Kristy’s current medical status the hospitals would not usually allow her to participate in a hospital to hospital transfer, but due to the rarity and severity of her case they are making an exception and transferring her to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Sloan Kettering does not accept Kristy’s current insurance plan, so she has recently switched to a plan they accept. Unfortunately, her new insurance does not go into effect until July 1st, 2024. With how intensely her cancer is spreading and her tumor growing quickly (over the past week it has grown 2cm), she needs to begin treatment at Sloan as soon as possible, regardless of insurance.
UPDATE to Kristy’s treatment plan:
As mentioned in the previous update, with Kristy’s condition and ACC being so rare, treatment plans change as needed. Currently, Kristy will continue her chemotherapy treatments at Upstate instead of being transferred to Sloan, per the advice of Sloan. The funds graciously donated by all of you will continue to support Kristy while she is out of work fighting ACC (like a badass), and will go to benefit any out-of-state care that insurance may not cover.
If you know Kristy, you know she is always a phone call away willing to help others out. This GoFundMe will support Kristy throughout her treatment, including her travel expenses, medical bills, and any other financial burden she may experience due to her inability to work while she is fighting Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
Kristy has remained in good spirits and is ready to do whatever it takes to fight ACC. Please consider donating if you are able to, any amount is appreciated, thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Mariah Matthews
Organizer
Binghamton, NY
Kristy Ames
Beneficiary