My name is Judy Olivarez. I'm wanting to raise money to help my beautiful sister, Lisa, with the cost of Proton radiation therapy at MD Anderson, in Houston, Texas. In December 2015 (on her birthday), she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, a tumor on her tongue, and on the floor of her mouth. In March 2016, she had a 10 hour surgery to remove and reconstruct more than 1/2 of her tongue and the floor of her mouth. It was recommended that she have radiation due to the high recurrance rate of this type of cancer. Due to other medical problems, sensory-motor polyneuropathy and severe allergies, it was concluded that a newer type of radiation "proton therapy" would be the most beneficial treatment. So after trying to get insurance approval and being turned down, my sister and her husband had to make a large down payment in order to begin treatment at MD Anderson. Between that out of pocket expense and the cost of staying in Houston for more than 6 weeks, it has really become a financial burden. After all the money spent on insurance premiums, when you need help, the insurance coverage just isn't there. After all Lisa has been through with this illness, at the end of her treatment I would like her to not have to worry about how much in debt they are due to her illness. It can take up to one year for her to heal from the treatment. I would be most grateful for any assistance that would help cover out-of-pocket medical and living expenses.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Dupnick
Beneficiary

