Kelly's Breast Friends

Kelly Nelson's presence can be immediately felt upon walking into a room. Kelly came to Collins PTI, as a patient, in 2018 following her diagnosis with stage IV breast cancer. Despite the diagnosis Kelly was positive and always smiling! She was even a bit forgetful (she will admit it and still is, lol!) but she again was always smiling. She successfully beat cancer despite all the challenges that were thrown her way. During her 2yr battle she lost her job/ability to work (owned small business) but felt such a strong desire to help others that as soon as she was well enough she looked for a job with more purpose, she found that perfectly at Collins, the patients are her family. They feed off of her and she knows it, always positive and smiling. She loves it! At Collins PTI, she felt it was her calling to help patients through their journey, whatever that might be.

 

Having recently started her not-for-profit in October, Our Breast Friends, life was allowing so many positive opportunities to build something bigger than just her personal story and mentor others struggling through their personal journey.

 

She had been "cancer free for 27 months!

 

 

However, during a recent scan it has been determined Kelly’s breast cancer has returned aggressively. She is facing an even bigger battle and will be fighting Metastatic Breast Cancer with that same smile on her face. Unfortunately, due to health insurance denying typical meds and treatment right now, she is fighting but being delayed. The latest/greatest radiation treatment for her spine is going thru review but has potential to be denied, there is a backup plan, more pain involved but it will work.

 

She has health insurance but with deductibles and copays she has about $12k to meet out of pocket first before insurance starts paying. Her income disability plan does not kick in until after 120 days without pay, then it pays 50% which will be a great help. The clinical trial she is trying to get in is at Moffett which will also involve out of pocket expenses for travel.

 

 

Please consider making a donation to help Kelly fight this battle that we know she can OVERCOME!


Read her published article here:
https://www.ebellamag.com/breast-cancer-awareness