If you know Michele, you know she is the one who shows up. I had the pleasure of meeting Michele while working together on nights in labor & delivery at Gifford Medical Center.

She shows up for her patients.

She shows up for her children.

She shows up for her community.

Now it’s our turn to show up for her.

Michele Palazzo was recently diagnosed with Stage III lobular breast cancer involving her right breast and lymph nodes. She has completed her first chemotherapy treatment and is now facing a long and physically demanding road ahead.

Her Treatment Plan

Michele is currently one round into a total of eight chemotherapy treatments over the next 16 weeks. She will receive three additional rounds every two weeks, followed by four rounds of Taxol, also every two weeks. After chemotherapy, she will undergo surgery for a mastectomy, followed by radiation and hormone therapy.

Treatment is expected to last the majority of this year at a minimum.

Since her first infusion, Michele has already experienced significant fluctuations in energy levels and missed work time due to side effects. While she has some accrued time off, it will not cover the length of treatment ahead.

A Family of Nine

Michele and her husband, Andy, met in 1997 at the University of New Hampshire and were married in 2001. Together, they have built a beautiful family of nine.

They have four biological children:

Caleb, a recent graduate of Montana State

Dominic, a senior headed to Vermont State University this fall

Joey, a high school sophomore

Oliver, in fifth grade

In 2020, Michele and Andy opened their hearts to foster care. Grace entered their lives and was adopted at five years old. Ellie, fostered from birth, was officially adopted at three. These sisters have been incredible blessings to the Palazzo family. They are also currently fostering a 9-month-old baby who joined their loving family at birth.

Their home is full — of love, of hockey equipment, of busy schedules, of carpooling, and of deep devotion to each other.

Michele the Nurse. Michele the Mom.

In 2015, Michele returned to school to pursue a nursing degree. She earned her LNA license and worked full-time night shifts while raising her children and advancing her education. She became an LPN, then an RN — all while fostering and caring for a growing family.

She worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Gifford Medical Center for three years, caring for families during some of their most precious moments. Eventually, she transitioned to school nursing in Lebanon, NH, to create a better work-life balance for her family.

Michele has dedicated her life to caring for others.

Now she needs us.

The Financial Strain

The financial burden is well into the thousands in treatment-related expenses, lost wages, and transportation costs.

For a family of nine, their largest current struggles are:

Grocery costs

Transportation

With chemotherapy every two weeks and ongoing fatigue, Michele expects continued missed work and reduced income throughout treatment.

How You Can Help

Our goal reflects:

Medical expenses already incurred (nearly $10,000)

Ongoing grocery support (They raise pigs/cows for meat, utilize community programs like VeggieVanGogh, and receive WIC resources for their daughter, Ellie).

Transportation costs to and from treatment

Basic household stability during chemotherapy

Every donation — no matter the size — will directly support Michele and her family during this incredibly challenging time.

If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this page. Community support means everything.

Michele has spent her life caring for others — as a nurse, a foster and adoptive mom, a wife, and a devoted mother of seven.

Now it’s time for us to care for Michele.

Anything helps.