Cancer Treatment for Cathy Eldred

You all know Cathy Eldred (Aldrich), a graduate of Sequim High School, class of 1978, ITT Peterson School of Business, class of 1979, and Peninsula College, class of 1996  as a kind and caring person, who was always willing to help whomever needed it, where ever they were.  If it was in Cathy’s capabilities to fix someone else’s problems, they were fixed.  Among the many charities Cathy participated in were: March of Dimes, Susan G Koman Cancer Foundation, and  the annual Safety Fair at Carrie Blake Park.  She has donated her hair multiple times to Locks of Love, and was a vital member of the Operation Uplift team, a group that provided for all the needs of Cancer patients not covered by insurance.  Cathy was a regular volunteer at the Sequim food bank .  For years Cathy led a group that brought presents to the nursing home patients in our area.  Not only did the residents of Sequim benefit from Cathy’s generosity and big heart, but so did the people of New Orleans.  After Katrina devastated the city, Cathy organized several donation drives, and then personally went to New Orleans to assist in the clean up efforts.  When Cathy moved to Atenas, Costa Rica in 2014 her willingness to help the less fortunate didn’t stop.  In fact, in retirement Cathy chose to use her additional free time helping others.  She has lent a hand at many castration clinics sponsored by Animales Atenas, and has organized fund raisers for Animales Atenas and for Hogar de Vida, the local orphanage.  Cathy also was a board member of the “Angel Tree Foundation”, a local Atenas group that organizes a Christmas party for over 350 needy children, complete with gifts, entertainment, and food.  For some of these children this is their only Christmas present.

 

Now, Cathy needs your help.  In April of 2017 Cathy was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and underwent a complete hysterectomy.  At that time the doctors performed a mammogram and found an anomaly, they suggested a follow up mammogram in 6 months.  When that mammogram was performed the “anomaly” had grown significantly.  A biopsy proved that Cathy, once again,  required cancer treatment.  Her tumor is a triple negative ductal carcinoma, BRACA negative, aggressive, invasive cancer, not amenable to many treatments.  Surgery was performed requiring the services of two different hospitals on the same day.  The surgery was successful.  Cathy paid cash for both surgeries and subsequent medical care, depleting her savings.  Due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, despite multiple good faith efforts, Cathy is not enrolled in the public health care system of Costa Rica.  The government has accepted all her paperwork, and she will be approved, but it can take up to a year, and Cathy does not have the luxury of time.  Her team of physicians insist that she begin radiation therapy within 2 months for it to be effective.  Please help this lady who helped so many others.  Please donate to this fund, and share this “go fund me” with everyone you know.  We will update you as treatment progresses, God willing.  No amount is too small.  Thanks.