Corrie's Crusade- Metastatic Cancer
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Corrie’s Crusade – Metastatic Breast Cancer
It’s been over 10 years since Corrie was diagnosed with stage 3 B breast cancer. But now, it’s back. This time it’s in her bones. The tumor in her skull was pushing onto her brain and causing stroke-like symptoms. The cancer is also in other bones of her body. This spread of the breast cancer now brings it to stage 4. The American Cancer Society states that the five-year survival rate after diagnosis for people with stage 4 breast cancer is 22 percent. The cruelty of reaching a critical milestone of being cancer-free only to have it now come back is devastating. This time, the treatment is to keep her feeling well and to try to prolong her life a little bit more. There is no cure.
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer over 10 years ago, Corrie was just 39 years old. A single parent of an 8 year-old boy, this vivacious, athletic, funny, thoughtful and deeply spiritual woman was brought to her knees as we watched, helpless in our inability to cure her or carry her pain. Corrie endured chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a double mastectomy. The reconstructive surgery was not successful the first time and through the years she has endured 8 surgeries. Along the way, her overall health has been impacted by many complications and side effects from the cancer and the treatment. Through it all she was sustained by the love and support of friends, family, co-workers, healthcare providers, and kind strangers. Her faith carried her when no one could. But the one person who kept her focused on the goal of surviving this devastating disease - and its equally debilitating treatment - is her son, Mark, who was 8 years old at the time of her diagnosis.
She is a fighter, but she needs your help. While Corrie has medical insurance, not everything is covered and each visit, test, and treatment comes with a hefty co-pay. There are lots of co-pays. The dollars quickly add up. Alternative care has an even higher co-pay, if it’s covered at all. As a single parent with a strong work ethic, she has struggled to support herself and her son. While Corrie continues to work as a teacher, her position was converted by her district into a temporary one and she no longer has the same benefits or the amount of sick days she used to get, and that means she doesn’t get paid for any days she has to miss right now due to treatments, hospital admissions, surgeries, or just not feeling well. It’s impossible to cover her medical expenses on top of her rent, insurance, and daily living expenses with her salary. Lost work days means even less income to cover those expenses.
It’s very difficult for Corrie to break her privacy and share her news. It’s even harder for her to ask for financial help. She is forever grateful to the family and friends who have helped her over the past 10 years, but she needs to ask them again - and now others - for support. She’s asking you to please help with any amount you can give. This money is being requested to help pay for living and medical expenses. The financial hardship is one of the more stressful worries she is facing as she looks ahead to the next days, months, and years.
If you are not able to give then, please, pray. Corrie believes in the power of prayer and is thankful the Good Lord answered her prayers when he gave her these past ten years. Please pray for her and share this page. Thank you.
It’s been over 10 years since Corrie was diagnosed with stage 3 B breast cancer. But now, it’s back. This time it’s in her bones. The tumor in her skull was pushing onto her brain and causing stroke-like symptoms. The cancer is also in other bones of her body. This spread of the breast cancer now brings it to stage 4. The American Cancer Society states that the five-year survival rate after diagnosis for people with stage 4 breast cancer is 22 percent. The cruelty of reaching a critical milestone of being cancer-free only to have it now come back is devastating. This time, the treatment is to keep her feeling well and to try to prolong her life a little bit more. There is no cure.
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer over 10 years ago, Corrie was just 39 years old. A single parent of an 8 year-old boy, this vivacious, athletic, funny, thoughtful and deeply spiritual woman was brought to her knees as we watched, helpless in our inability to cure her or carry her pain. Corrie endured chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a double mastectomy. The reconstructive surgery was not successful the first time and through the years she has endured 8 surgeries. Along the way, her overall health has been impacted by many complications and side effects from the cancer and the treatment. Through it all she was sustained by the love and support of friends, family, co-workers, healthcare providers, and kind strangers. Her faith carried her when no one could. But the one person who kept her focused on the goal of surviving this devastating disease - and its equally debilitating treatment - is her son, Mark, who was 8 years old at the time of her diagnosis.
She is a fighter, but she needs your help. While Corrie has medical insurance, not everything is covered and each visit, test, and treatment comes with a hefty co-pay. There are lots of co-pays. The dollars quickly add up. Alternative care has an even higher co-pay, if it’s covered at all. As a single parent with a strong work ethic, she has struggled to support herself and her son. While Corrie continues to work as a teacher, her position was converted by her district into a temporary one and she no longer has the same benefits or the amount of sick days she used to get, and that means she doesn’t get paid for any days she has to miss right now due to treatments, hospital admissions, surgeries, or just not feeling well. It’s impossible to cover her medical expenses on top of her rent, insurance, and daily living expenses with her salary. Lost work days means even less income to cover those expenses.
It’s very difficult for Corrie to break her privacy and share her news. It’s even harder for her to ask for financial help. She is forever grateful to the family and friends who have helped her over the past 10 years, but she needs to ask them again - and now others - for support. She’s asking you to please help with any amount you can give. This money is being requested to help pay for living and medical expenses. The financial hardship is one of the more stressful worries she is facing as she looks ahead to the next days, months, and years.
If you are not able to give then, please, pray. Corrie believes in the power of prayer and is thankful the Good Lord answered her prayers when he gave her these past ten years. Please pray for her and share this page. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Messina
Organizer
North Kingstown, RI
Corrinne Cristofaro
Beneficiary
