Love Can Help Kill Cancer

Last November Darlene Duffy Blais, my college friend and sorority sister, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Specifically, she has andenocarcinoma, a form of cervical cancer that is harder to find, harder to treat and has a greater chance of reoccurring.

In December, she started treatment which consists of both chemotherapy and radiation (both internal and external). She's also participating in a clinical trial, called The Outback Trial, that consists of 4 rounds of full body high dose adjuvant chemo with the purpose of decreasing the chance of a reoccurrence. The chemo is given once every 21 days and that is the part of the treatment she is in now. This has been and will continue to be very painful with a host of unpleasant side effects, rendering her unable to work. Her husband, Steve, is currently working but had been out of work for almost three years until just before her diagnosis due to cuts in the defense industry. Having a job is, of course, great because he has health insurance but the noncovered medical expenses are staggering. Having insurance and a job also means they don't qualify for any additional assistance. They depleted their savings during the unemployment period and now they have nothing to fall back on and no way to pay the medical bills and everything else. Steve is now working two jobs but it's just not enough. That's where we all come in. Please consider making a donation to help. Any amount will be a blessing.

As Darlene said in an email to me a few days ago: "Cancer certainly is a battle and until I was faced with it I had no idea how tough. My greatest hope is I get out of this alive and can find some way to give back. Cancer can be very isolating."

Anyone who knows Darlene knows how hard it is for her to even allow this request for help to be made.  To say she will be extremely grateful for your help is a huge understatement but I can't think of any other words to better convey her gratitude.  Please do what you can.