Help with Medical Expenses for Cancer Treatment

My name is Michelle West and I am requesting help for medical and living expenses related to cancer treatments I will need to undergo. In July of 2023 I noticed a sensation that felt like a hair in my throat. examined myself in the mirror and noticed that My right tonsil was enlarged. I went to the Emergency Room and was initially treated for tonsilitis. After a few days of antibiotics and not seeing any improvement I went back to the hospital and was sent for CT Scan. The doctor noticed abnormalities and referred me to an ENT for biopsy. A week after I was referred out, I received a diagnosis for Stage 2-3 Squamous Cell Carcinoma in my tonsil that is spreading to the lymph nodes in my neck and chest area. I will need to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The radiation treatment and chemotherapy will require me to be at the Cancer Institute 5 day a week for 7 weeks for intensive Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment. The Cancer Institute in Rapid City where I will need to be treated is located 165 miles from my home in Eagle Butte, SD.

This experience has already placed a significant financial strain on my family as my husband and I have had to miss work to travel back and forth for medical appointments, biopsies, and consults with various doctors. Eventually, I may have to be on leave from work in the later phase of my treatments as I will be very weak. We have held small fundraising events such as food sales to raise money as I have to have gas money to travel to appointments as well as still be able to pay bills and take care of our 3 young children. As my treatment progresses, I will get weaker and will not be able to hold fundraisers as often. I am asking for help to raise funds that will go towards expenses related to me traveling to my medical appointments and to help pay bills when I am not able to work. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!