Support Emily's Journey Beating Breast Cancer
Donation protected
I have started this fundraiser for my beautiful sister, Emily. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, specifically triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma, in July 2019 at only 29 years old. This news came less than one week after her honeymoon, one month after her wedding. What should be the best time of her and her new husband's (Kyle) life has turned into a complicated whirlwind; full of appointments, procedures, biopsies, blood draws, paperwork, phone calls, and so much more.
Unfortunately, after discussing her treatment plan with her doctor, Emily and Kyle found out that there is no certain way to preserve her future fertility. This was devastating to hear because before this diagnosis, Emily and Kyle were already planning to start a family. Thankfully, modern medicine has made it possible for people in Emily's situation to take steps before treatment to preserve the ability to have a family. Currently (August 2019), Emily is in the process of going through fertility treatments to have her eggs retrieved, fertilized, and stored.
After she completes the fertility preservation process, she will immediately begin chemotherapy. She will have a total of 6 rounds of chemo over 4.5 months. After chemo, she will begin the surgical portion of her treatment, which will consist of multiple surgeries. We are hoping she will not need radiation, but that will not be determined until after surgery. On top of all this, she will need around a year of infusions after chemo along with long-term medications and testing.
What will your donations go towards?
Emily's insurance covers ZERO percent of the fertility preservation costs. It is costing them roughly $14,000 to have healthy embryos preserved, and this is an expense Emily and Kyle are facing right now. This does not include the future costs for the IVF process.
There are also other expenses not covered by insurance. With Emily's specific chemo treatment, there is a chance of permanent hair loss. To minimize this risk, she needs to purchase a "cold cap" system to use during each chemo session. It works by essentially putting her scalp into hypothermia during chemo to minimize the effects of chemo on hair follicles. Wigs, many necessary supplements, and several years of post treatment medications are all additional expenses. Out-of-pocket costs for these things, along with her deductibles will be several thousands more.
About Emily:
If you know Emily, you already know she is one of the most selfless and positive people there is. Emily is in her fifth year of being a school counselor for Ellicott Elementary School. It is not only her job to help others, it is her passion! Shortly after finding out she has breast cancer, Emily had already decided she will use this experience to help others. She has plans "to work with other young cancer survivors one day, to form support groups, to be a mentor, to create more resources for help, and a ton more!" Even through the roughest of times, when others may only be able to see the negatives, Emily continues to be her optimistic self, and I will always look up to her for that!
Emily nobly donated 18 inches of her hair to Wigs For Kids after her diagnosis!
Emily is blessed with Kyle as a husband. He has been strong, supportive, and her rock from the very beginning.
Emily and Kyle on their wonderful European honeymoon in early July!
I really appreciate you taking the time to read Emily and Kyle's story. If you are able to donate, any amount, it will most definitively be put to good use! Emily and Kyle are dealing with an amount of stress that many people will never know. It is my hope that we can all help to minimize the financial burden, so that Emily can focus on beating cancer's ass!
Unfortunately, after discussing her treatment plan with her doctor, Emily and Kyle found out that there is no certain way to preserve her future fertility. This was devastating to hear because before this diagnosis, Emily and Kyle were already planning to start a family. Thankfully, modern medicine has made it possible for people in Emily's situation to take steps before treatment to preserve the ability to have a family. Currently (August 2019), Emily is in the process of going through fertility treatments to have her eggs retrieved, fertilized, and stored.
After she completes the fertility preservation process, she will immediately begin chemotherapy. She will have a total of 6 rounds of chemo over 4.5 months. After chemo, she will begin the surgical portion of her treatment, which will consist of multiple surgeries. We are hoping she will not need radiation, but that will not be determined until after surgery. On top of all this, she will need around a year of infusions after chemo along with long-term medications and testing.
What will your donations go towards?
Emily's insurance covers ZERO percent of the fertility preservation costs. It is costing them roughly $14,000 to have healthy embryos preserved, and this is an expense Emily and Kyle are facing right now. This does not include the future costs for the IVF process.
There are also other expenses not covered by insurance. With Emily's specific chemo treatment, there is a chance of permanent hair loss. To minimize this risk, she needs to purchase a "cold cap" system to use during each chemo session. It works by essentially putting her scalp into hypothermia during chemo to minimize the effects of chemo on hair follicles. Wigs, many necessary supplements, and several years of post treatment medications are all additional expenses. Out-of-pocket costs for these things, along with her deductibles will be several thousands more.
About Emily:
If you know Emily, you already know she is one of the most selfless and positive people there is. Emily is in her fifth year of being a school counselor for Ellicott Elementary School. It is not only her job to help others, it is her passion! Shortly after finding out she has breast cancer, Emily had already decided she will use this experience to help others. She has plans "to work with other young cancer survivors one day, to form support groups, to be a mentor, to create more resources for help, and a ton more!" Even through the roughest of times, when others may only be able to see the negatives, Emily continues to be her optimistic self, and I will always look up to her for that! Emily nobly donated 18 inches of her hair to Wigs For Kids after her diagnosis! Emily is blessed with Kyle as a husband. He has been strong, supportive, and her rock from the very beginning. Emily and Kyle on their wonderful European honeymoon in early July! I really appreciate you taking the time to read Emily and Kyle's story. If you are able to donate, any amount, it will most definitively be put to good use! Emily and Kyle are dealing with an amount of stress that many people will never know. It is my hope that we can all help to minimize the financial burden, so that Emily can focus on beating cancer's ass!
Organizer and beneficiary
Brianna Benfer
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
Emily Fisch
Beneficiary