Help Shannon Beat Cancer!

     See the lovely young woman in these photos? That's my dear friend, Shannon.  Notice the big smiles on her little boys' faces?  They are smiling because they have one truly amazing mom!  Shannon Spino was diagnosed with cancer in February 2014.  Since then, she has undergone two major surgeries and several months of chemotherapy.  During this time, she continued to help underprivileged children in her employment as a social worker while also caring for her two joyful and energetic little boys!  
     Shannon has always  been a bright light, a ray of sunshine, bursting with positive energy!  Just spend ten minutes with Shannon and you can't help but feel the exhuberance and  enthusiasm she brings with her everywhere she goes.  She is forever the optimist, she laughs loud and hard and often, and she has a way of amplifying the  fun in almost any situation!  Every mom knows how tiring it can be caring for young children.  Shannon has not allowed cancer to stand in the way of creating special memories and spending quality time with her sons.   Even while undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatments, Shannon made a point of planning fun and educational activities to do with her sons when the work week was through.  
     Shannon could also be described as "no-nonsense" and someone who "calls it as she sees it".  This has proven to be one of Shannon's many strengths,  both as a parent and as a friend.  She stands calm and firm with her sons in matters  of respect for themselves and others.  When her boys, ages 4 and 5 ,  ask questions about sensitive issues  or struggle to express difficult feelings,  Shannon has a remarkable ability to comfort them with words that are compassionate, truthful, and wise.  
     Similarly, Shannon's friends know that they can count on her to be genuine and loyal.  She is not a fair weather friend--and when you do find yourself in the midst of stormy weather, don't expect her to just stand there holding an umbrella over your head until the storm passes...no way!  This girl is going to be running behind you in the rain, blowing a whistle in your ear and yelling, "Come on, keep it moving!"  Oh, and when she is happy for you, you will know it.  She will hug you so hard and so long as if she hadn't seen you in years--when really, only a week or so has passed!  When you are feeling self-critical, she will refer to you as "Glorious!" or "Amazing!" and will express this as though she is completely certain it is true.  Shannon is the kind of person who sends a friend a cookie-gram with a thoughtful message just days after learning of her own cancer diagnosis.   She is the kind of person who insists on treating others to a relaxing weekend getaway to celebrate what she hoped would be her final treatment of chemotherapy.  That was October 2014.  
     Only a few short months later, Shannon received the news that chemotherapy had not been successful in freeing her body of cancer.   In February 2015, Shannon underwent a second major surgery to  try to remove the cancer.  The  plan was that she would begin a course of radiation therapy after several weeks of  healing from the surgery.   Near the time she had planned to return to work (mid-March, 2015) Shannon found herself experiencing a sharp increase in pain that necessitated a visit to the emergency room.  It was there that a CT scan revealed the cancer had spread to her liver and lungs.
      There is currently much discussion between Shannon, her family, and her doctors regarding what the next steps should be for Shannon's medical care.  The significant medical expenses incurred  from Shannon's treatment during the past year have placed a large financial burden on she and her family.  As Shannon and her family make decisions about the next steps in her medical care, it is reasonable to assume that their financial burden will continue to grow.  
     In addition to providing their love and emotional support,  Shannon's aging parents have taken on many of the daily responsibilities of caring for her children and tending to her health care needs.  They are an incredibly strong family and are reluctant to ask others for help even under the current circumstances,--where asking for helpis clearly warranted. Please consider making a monetary donation to help relieve some of the financial burden brought to bear on Shannon and her family.  Any assistance offered would be received by the family with deep gratitude and appreciation.
     Please feel free to visit this site for updates on Shannon's health and to post words of support and encouragement forshe and her family.

Thank you,  

Beth Punsalan
(friend of Shannon)