In 2012 our beloved mother, Barbara, was diagnosed with an extremely rare stage 3 cancer in her neck (Pulmonary Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma). Her doctors advised her to have the tumor removed and the area radiated, both of which were done immediately. Barbara was given a clean bill of health. Or so we thought... In the summer of 2019, Barbara started having difficulty breathing. A precautionary X-ray to rule out anything serious revealed that Barbara's cancer had not been completely removed and had spread to both of her lungs. The largest tumor invaded her heart and put her in immediate danger. Anyone who knows Barbara knows that her heart is truly one in a million. Unfortunately, this rare cancer (only 57 documented cases of it in the lungs), makes her diagnosis almost equally as rare. And a positive outcome, even rarer. That summer, we learned that Barbara's cancer is so rare that there was no treatment proven to work. Countless specialists and oncologists told her to get her affairs in order and to not expect anything that could help her. Barbara faced this repeated news with grace, love, and courage, inspiring those of us who love to try and do the same. We are all still working to be as brave as she is. Hospitalizations, grueling radiation treatments, medicines, travel to find care, specialists, consultations fees and supplements have left Barbara and her loving husband Alan with over $125,000 in medical debt over the last five years. But, as it is in so many great stories of triumph, the darkness breaks before dawn. And Barbara's dawn is here. At Dana Farber in Boston, Massachusetts there is a clinical trial that treats this extremely rare cancer. Barbara has the opportunity to receive a treatment we only dared dream was possible. She is approved and there is a team of wonderful professionals ready to help her… ... if, she can get to Massachusetts every three weeks from North Carolina. We are humbly asking that anyone who has loved Barbara or who feels moved to please help us give her a chance to receive this treatment. Funds raised will go towards travel, food, lodging, medicines, and medical payments so that Barbara can receive the treatment for as long as she needs it, and be able to pause working to do so. This trial fulfills our wish to help our mother, wife, grandmother, sister, friend, and mentor. And, it fulfills Barbara's additional wish: to contribute to any research that will one day help others whose lives are impacted by cancer. Thank you for loving our mother and for holding her in your heart, and thank you for any help you can give to Barbara.
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