Team Lunceford
Donation protected
This gofundme is to help with medical expenses and bills for the Lunceford family.
On November 18, 2022, just six months after graduating high school, 19-year-old Shannon Lunceford went to the emergency room for intense abdominal pain. Five days later, she was diagnosed with a rare Kidney Cancer.
On January 6, 2023, Shannon underwent a six-hour long surgery. It was only supposed to take three hours, the doctors were visibly exhausted and expressed to the family that the surgery was long and very, very difficult. Her condition was much worse than they expected, the cancer had spread to multiple lymph nodes. Shannon's surgeon told us that she even had to stop to consult with another surgeon to determine if they were going to remove an entire kidney due to how bad it looked. Because of Shannon's age and the immunotherapies that she could face, the surgeons wanted to leave her with as much viable organ use as possible, so they removed a little over half a kidney and the tumor. Shannon's doctor's last words to us that day were to pray for a miracle. We will never forget that day.
We waited a few weeks for the results... Shannon's tumor was categorized as a Grade 3, Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma. Shannon underwent tests for the next three months. According to the doctors, "19-year-olds don't get Kidney Cancer," so they wanted to be thorough in searching for its source. Shannon had multiple CT scans, MRIs, bloodwork, genetic testing, etc.
While Shannon's testing continued, the health of her father, Mark Lunceford, began to deteriorate. What you should know about Mark Lunceford is that when he gets sick, he doesn't stay down long. Mark and his wife, Regina, raised ten children together. Working a life-long career in the carpentry field called for very long days filled with very labor-intensive hours.
His hospital stays technically began on February 15, when he was admitted for a bone infection which ultimately led to him having a toe amputated. He was back at work just a week and a half later but still complained of feeling more worn out than usual. Sunday, March 19th, he spent most of the day in bed not feeling well. He ended up going to the hospital that night. He was admitted and then released three days later after a Lasix drip. Back to work he went...
On March 29, too weak to even pack a bag, Mark was admitted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in College Station, TX. Two days later on March 31, he was transported to the Baylor Scott & White heart specialist teams in Temple, TX. He was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and then moved to ICU on April 2. His body was experiencing multiple organ failure because his heart was too weak to perform its normal functions. That same day, Mark had his first major surgery and received a balloon pump, followed by an Impella implant surgery on April 3. The purpose of these procedures was to help his heart pump mechanically and return some function to his other organs. The Impella is only a short-term solution, so several medical teams were formed and the tests began in order to determine the next steps. Doctors decided that an LVAD(Left Ventricular Assist Device) placement was the best option for Mark at this time. The LVAD is a more long-term option and would potentially serve as a bridge to a full Heart Transplant in the future. With a plan in place, the doctors began closely monitoring Mark's other organs while his heart pumped mechanically via the Impella implant.
In just a month and a half, Mark has undergone numerous procedures: multiple CT scans, endoscopies, multiple heart catheters, an angiogram to repair a splenic laceration, 2 more angiograms and 2 nuclear scans all in an attempt to identify the source of an internal bleed, a colonoscopy, an oral surgery, and a procedure to cauterize the bleed after it was found. He's also received approximately 25 units of blood since being moved to ICU. He hasn't left ICU since April 2. Despite the doctors' efforts, Mark's numbers have not stabilized enough for him to be approved for an LVAD placement.
When Mark was first transferred to Temple, Regina made attempts to work at the local HEB to help keep up with bills. As Mark's condition worsened, it became clear that she needed to be at his side at all times. After a two month struggle with heart failure, Mark passed away on May 20, 2023. He was surrounded by his wife, children, sister and the love of many friends and family members.
The combination of Shannon and Mark's medical bills and both parents being out of work has placed a significant financial burden on the Lunceford family. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Please share and please keep the Lunceford family in your prayers.
Shannon getting ready for surgery.
Mark, Regina and their ten children
Mark, Regina and their grandkids
Mark, Regina and their son/daughter in laws
Family pictures Pictures from Temple... 
On November 18, 2022, just six months after graduating high school, 19-year-old Shannon Lunceford went to the emergency room for intense abdominal pain. Five days later, she was diagnosed with a rare Kidney Cancer.
On January 6, 2023, Shannon underwent a six-hour long surgery. It was only supposed to take three hours, the doctors were visibly exhausted and expressed to the family that the surgery was long and very, very difficult. Her condition was much worse than they expected, the cancer had spread to multiple lymph nodes. Shannon's surgeon told us that she even had to stop to consult with another surgeon to determine if they were going to remove an entire kidney due to how bad it looked. Because of Shannon's age and the immunotherapies that she could face, the surgeons wanted to leave her with as much viable organ use as possible, so they removed a little over half a kidney and the tumor. Shannon's doctor's last words to us that day were to pray for a miracle. We will never forget that day.
We waited a few weeks for the results... Shannon's tumor was categorized as a Grade 3, Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma. Shannon underwent tests for the next three months. According to the doctors, "19-year-olds don't get Kidney Cancer," so they wanted to be thorough in searching for its source. Shannon had multiple CT scans, MRIs, bloodwork, genetic testing, etc.
While Shannon's testing continued, the health of her father, Mark Lunceford, began to deteriorate. What you should know about Mark Lunceford is that when he gets sick, he doesn't stay down long. Mark and his wife, Regina, raised ten children together. Working a life-long career in the carpentry field called for very long days filled with very labor-intensive hours.
His hospital stays technically began on February 15, when he was admitted for a bone infection which ultimately led to him having a toe amputated. He was back at work just a week and a half later but still complained of feeling more worn out than usual. Sunday, March 19th, he spent most of the day in bed not feeling well. He ended up going to the hospital that night. He was admitted and then released three days later after a Lasix drip. Back to work he went...
On March 29, too weak to even pack a bag, Mark was admitted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in College Station, TX. Two days later on March 31, he was transported to the Baylor Scott & White heart specialist teams in Temple, TX. He was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and then moved to ICU on April 2. His body was experiencing multiple organ failure because his heart was too weak to perform its normal functions. That same day, Mark had his first major surgery and received a balloon pump, followed by an Impella implant surgery on April 3. The purpose of these procedures was to help his heart pump mechanically and return some function to his other organs. The Impella is only a short-term solution, so several medical teams were formed and the tests began in order to determine the next steps. Doctors decided that an LVAD(Left Ventricular Assist Device) placement was the best option for Mark at this time. The LVAD is a more long-term option and would potentially serve as a bridge to a full Heart Transplant in the future. With a plan in place, the doctors began closely monitoring Mark's other organs while his heart pumped mechanically via the Impella implant.
In just a month and a half, Mark has undergone numerous procedures: multiple CT scans, endoscopies, multiple heart catheters, an angiogram to repair a splenic laceration, 2 more angiograms and 2 nuclear scans all in an attempt to identify the source of an internal bleed, a colonoscopy, an oral surgery, and a procedure to cauterize the bleed after it was found. He's also received approximately 25 units of blood since being moved to ICU. He hasn't left ICU since April 2. Despite the doctors' efforts, Mark's numbers have not stabilized enough for him to be approved for an LVAD placement.
When Mark was first transferred to Temple, Regina made attempts to work at the local HEB to help keep up with bills. As Mark's condition worsened, it became clear that she needed to be at his side at all times. After a two month struggle with heart failure, Mark passed away on May 20, 2023. He was surrounded by his wife, children, sister and the love of many friends and family members.
The combination of Shannon and Mark's medical bills and both parents being out of work has placed a significant financial burden on the Lunceford family. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Please share and please keep the Lunceford family in your prayers.
Shannon getting ready for surgery.
Mark, Regina and their ten children
Mark, Regina and their grandkids
Mark, Regina and their son/daughter in laws
Family pictures Pictures from Temple... 
Organizer
Hannah Lunceford
Organizer
Port Neches, TX