Donna’s Ohana: Battle Against Breast Cancer

In early November, Donna Bates felt a lump in her breast. She was diagnosed with Stage 3, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) - an aggressive cancer that is difficult to treat. As of this posting, Donna is on her fourth week of chemo-/immunotherapy.

Although Donna caught this early enough before her cancer spread, her future is still very uncertain. After 28 weeks of infusion treatment, she will be prepared for mastectomy surgery and an additional chemo or radiation therapy cycle. Donna has a long and challenging journey ahead of her, yet she remains strong and positive.

The ‘Family Reality’ ~

As Donna progresses with her treatment and takes time to recover, she cannot continue her role as the primary income earner. This breast cancer battle has already significantly impacted their finances at the four-week mark. Meanwhile, her husband, Dane, will continue to provide home and childcare while working part-time as a personal trainer. Ultimately, the Bates family will not generate enough income to support themselves.

The reality for Donna, Dane, and their beautiful 4-year-old son Braxton is that worsening financial hardship is inevitable. ️ ️️

Herein lies where we, the Ohana, can wrap our supportive arms around them to ease their financial burden. ️

Donna’s story ~

Donna is an extraordinary woman who brings light and smiles into the minds and faces of those fortunate enough to meet her. Donna creates a house full of laughter and games. Donna loves to bake cookies, run marathons, and watch the MN Vikings play on Sundays. Donna embodies the magic of motherhood and leads her family into becoming the house on the block with every decoration for every holiday or special occasion.

Donna exemplifies all the goodness and beauty that exists in all of us. ️

Ohana, more than family ~

You may have heard Ohana means family, but it’s much more than that. An ohana is special; the people within it extend beyond the immediate family. They’re bound together by genuine compassion, support, loyalty, and love for each other. To belong to someone’s ohana is a great honor.

Within an ohana, you are never isolated or alone. ️️️

YOU can join Donna’s Ohana and help her journey!

1) GIVE whatever you can. No donation is too small

2) SHARE on social media (#DonnasOhana)

3) EMAIL this page - gofundme.com/donnas-ohana - to your family + friends.

All donations will go towards bills, out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, and much more.