Who Can? #AnnCan.
Donation protected
Think for a moment about your favorite teacher in school. Take a moment to think about your very best friend. Now picture your amazing sister, or your “funnest” aunt. Imagine your beautiful Grandmother, your loving wife, your selfless mother. Ann McDonald is all of these things. It’s hard to imagine the number of lives that have been touched by Ann. Today, we reach out to all of those people to ask for your help.
Early April 2015 Ann was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We came to find out later that the true diagnosis was a very rare form of cancer referred to as Triple-Hit lymphoma. Ann quickly began a regimen of 6-day, high dose chemotherapy treatments every 3 weeks. Three additional treatments were added to this schedule to prevent the cancer from spreading to the spinal fluid. It seemed the treatments were working, but by July it was evident that the cancer was still there. At that time, Ann was sent to Mayo for further evaluation. In August Ann began new chemo treatments as a part of a clinical trial that was designed to prepare her to qualify for a stem cell transplant. If she qualified, we hoped it would bring the cure we’d been waiting for.
Ann did qualify for the transplant despite one small spot of cancer that remained in her abdomen. She then went through 7 weeks of transplant procedure and was sent home to recover. By 60 days post-transplant Ann was experiencing severe back pain and was hospitalized. We found out that the disease was back and a large tumor had grown near her spine. Radiation was prescribed to shrink the tumor and relieve her pain. Her following appointment showed yet another spot. It became evident standard treatment practices were not adequate for this rare type of cancer and no further treatment options were offered. However, Ann wanted to keep fighting. The decision was made to search for a clinical trial that had shown positive results in patients with recurrent lymphoma. A new immunotherapy trial in Seattle was found via a second opinion. We are so pleased to tell everyone that Ann has been accepted, and is in Seattle receiving treatment now.
Not all costs associated with this trial and treatment are covered by insurance. Travel and living expenses add up quickly. We are asking for help so Ann is able to wholly focus on her health and not on finances. Anything you can contribute is appreciated. Any unused funds donated to Ann’s cause will be used to further cancer research.
The generosity and support that Ann and her family have received thus far have been incredible, and on behalf of Ann and her family we thank you. In addition, all kind thoughts and encouraging words go along way in boosting Ann's spirit. Please share openly on this page.
Early April 2015 Ann was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We came to find out later that the true diagnosis was a very rare form of cancer referred to as Triple-Hit lymphoma. Ann quickly began a regimen of 6-day, high dose chemotherapy treatments every 3 weeks. Three additional treatments were added to this schedule to prevent the cancer from spreading to the spinal fluid. It seemed the treatments were working, but by July it was evident that the cancer was still there. At that time, Ann was sent to Mayo for further evaluation. In August Ann began new chemo treatments as a part of a clinical trial that was designed to prepare her to qualify for a stem cell transplant. If she qualified, we hoped it would bring the cure we’d been waiting for.
Ann did qualify for the transplant despite one small spot of cancer that remained in her abdomen. She then went through 7 weeks of transplant procedure and was sent home to recover. By 60 days post-transplant Ann was experiencing severe back pain and was hospitalized. We found out that the disease was back and a large tumor had grown near her spine. Radiation was prescribed to shrink the tumor and relieve her pain. Her following appointment showed yet another spot. It became evident standard treatment practices were not adequate for this rare type of cancer and no further treatment options were offered. However, Ann wanted to keep fighting. The decision was made to search for a clinical trial that had shown positive results in patients with recurrent lymphoma. A new immunotherapy trial in Seattle was found via a second opinion. We are so pleased to tell everyone that Ann has been accepted, and is in Seattle receiving treatment now.
Not all costs associated with this trial and treatment are covered by insurance. Travel and living expenses add up quickly. We are asking for help so Ann is able to wholly focus on her health and not on finances. Anything you can contribute is appreciated. Any unused funds donated to Ann’s cause will be used to further cancer research.
The generosity and support that Ann and her family have received thus far have been incredible, and on behalf of Ann and her family we thank you. In addition, all kind thoughts and encouraging words go along way in boosting Ann's spirit. Please share openly on this page.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cassie Parr
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MN
Tim McDonald
Beneficiary