Karen's Cancer Chemo Support

Our mom, Karen, was recently diagnosed with Stage 2B Ovarian Cancer. This is the stage where cancer of the ovary has spread to other places in the pelvic region. This diagnosis was unexpected, and is still as shocking to us as it may be for you. We are writing this to update those who know Karen on this news, and to seek support.

This all began early this year when our mom experienced unusual medical symptoms that she could not ignore. Several urgent appointments and scans later, on May 6th, Karen had an emergency total hysterectomy including the removal of both ovaries. The surgery was supposed to take 3 hours, but ended up taking over 7 as her left ovary had grown to the size of a softball, 3x its healthy size. Thankfully, despite the added complexity, the surgery was successful. Karen has been recovering well, and we were all feeling relatively optimistic, hoping this would be the end.

Unfortunately, pathology revealed that the growth of the ovary was due to aggressive cancer cells found within. At the time of surgery, these cells were found to have spread outside of the ovary. The high grade of cell and the amount of spread lead to the diagnosis of Stage 2B Ovarian Cancer. For this, she will be receiving an aggressive course of chemotherapy this summer and fall.

This is rough news. It is hard to know that a single mother who is as hard-working, kind-hearted, and relentlessly dedicated to providing the best for her children will have to take a step back from her normal responsibilities. Anyone who knows Karen knows the indomitable level of energy she wakes up with everyday; my sister Quinn and I know that one of our biggest jobs throughout this process will be helping our mom do less and, for once, turn her focus toward herself and her health.

We are doing our best to support her in all ways we can. I (Griffin) will be making routine trips from my job in Boston to Philly to be with her during the roughest part of each chemo cycle, Quinn will be on summer break and assisting our mom daily, and our Grandmom will be making frequent visits for additional support. While we will all be helping as much as we can, we are worried about the financial impact on our mom and family. As an independent college consultant who has been (successfully!) growing her business over the last several years, Karen will have to reduce her 2025/2026 admissions cycle client load at her doctor’s recommendation. This semi-hiatus is coming at a particularly vulnerable time of small-business startup and during the busiest months of the college admissions cycle. Combined with eye-watering treatment costs upwards of $100,000, miserly health insurance, and Karen being a single mother receiving minimal child support, we anticipate bills - surgery, treatment, and rent - beginning to pile up and, with it, our mom’s stress and attempts to work harder - exactly when we know her most important job is to slow down and focus on her health. We want to give her the absolute best chance of recovery.

We're hoping to raise $25,000 to help cover essential expenses over her half-year course of chemo — rent, treatment-related costs, and daily living — so we can focus as much of our effort as possible on solving our mom’s singular and life-threatening problem.

Thank you for your time & support,

Griffin & Quinn