ReachOutGiving

I am a 33 year old PhD candidate in Cinema and Media Studies at UCLA, and a lover of animals and the great outdoors, with a suppressed desire to be a cowgirl instead. On March 30th, 2011, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast. The cancer is estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive, which means that these hormones feed it. Although it is stage I, because I am fortunate to have caught it early, it is also HER2/neu positive, which means that it is particularly aggressive, but also that it can be targeted with a particular drug. My treatment will include a bilateral mastectomy (May 17th), about 3 months of chemotherapy, a year of adjuvant Trastuzumab (that particular drug to target HER2/neu positive cancer), and 5 years of Tamoxifen (an estrogen blocker).  On June 12, 2013, I was diagnosed with a local recurrence of my breast cancer.  I have since had a lumpectomy, and begun chemotherapy (every three weeks for 1-2 years) and daily radiation treatments (for six and a half weeks). Brain scans have revealed that the cancer may have metastasized, but I must wait until November to do a follow-up scan.

Despite the health coverage I currently earn through my job at UCLA, the deductibles, co-pays, and uncovered costs are piling up.  I've already been billed over $3000 for diagnostic procedures and have only just begun the lengthy treatment regimen I'll have to undergo through the fall and beyond.  I lost my father in 2006, and my mother, while sending all the love and emotional support she can, is unable to provide financial assistance. So I’m hoping you can join in collectively helping me through this difficult time.

I'm very fortunate to have so many people in my life who have asked how they can help and I'll be forever grateful for the outpouring of support.  Helping with the current and upcoming financial burden lifts a weight off my shoulders and helps me focus on healing, but please know that contributing thoughts, love and prayers is also much appreciated!