Hello,

My name is Alyssa Lassus, and as many of you know, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m 32 years old, and this year has brought challenges I never imagined I’d face.

At the beginning of the year, I found a lump in my left breast. I hoped it would go away on its own, but as the months passed, it only grew larger. In August, I received the news that would turn my life upside down: stage two breast cancer.

Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to leave work to focus on my health and prepare for the road ahead. Due to insurance stipulations, I am unable to work during treatment if I want to keep my coverage, which has left us with one less source of income at a time when every bit counts. I chose to undergo a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of cancer returning, and during surgery, doctors discovered three tumors. Each new discovery has made this journey feel heavier.

Now, I’m about to begin 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Alongside that, I’ll be receiving ovarian suppression injections, and after chemo, I’ll need to take estrogen blockers for five years. Each treatment is a reminder of how much life has changed, and how much further I still have to go.

In addition to this battle, Joseph and I have faced heartbreak over the last four years trying to start a family. After years of hoping, I was told that I have a diminished egg reserve for my age. Now, with chemotherapy approaching, our hopes for children feel even more fragile. The treatments I need to survive cancer may take away the chance of having children naturally. Our doctors have advised us to consider freezing our eggs or embryos now to hold onto any small hope of having a family one day.

We’ve been doing everything we can to handle this, but it’s hard. I’m out of work, and we’re struggling to cover the many costs for the treatments and procedures that could help give us a better future—a future free from cancer, and with the hope of a family.

We are reaching out for help with some of these expenses, as they are not covered by insurance:

- Cooling caps to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy

- Reconstruction surgeries to help me heal physically and emotionally

- Egg retrieval and embryo cryopreservation to preserve our chance of a family

Any support, no matter the size, would mean everything to us. Joseph and I feel truly blessed to have such an incredible army of family and friends who have lifted us up throughout this journey, and we are beyond grateful for any help you can offer during this difficult time.

Thank you, and God bless.