Honoring Nancy's GBM Brain Cancer Battle & Legacy

This campaign is to support the urgent and required care of Nancy Zorena, beloved wife, mother,
public servant, teacher, educator, mentor, friend, and - to so many - a bearer of HOPE and renewed faith in the face of a challenging diagnosis----as she battles Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Cancer!
Every gift, no matter how small, makes a difference!

On November 1st, 2016 Nancy was sent to Yale Emergency Room, after her eye doctor saw pressure in her optic nerve during an eye exam, ordered an MRI, and a mass was seen in the Occipital lobe.

Emergency Surgery at Yale on November 3, 2016 removed the tumor, however, pathology results showed
that our "health nut" had an aggressive brain cancer: Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme,
called "terminal" "incurable" and "The Terminator" by doctors.
She was told she had "3 months to live" AFTER brain surgery. 

Nancy completed Standard of Care treatment (chemo and radiation), and participated in a clinical trial to
help others.  6 months after brain surgery, and 30 brain radiation sessions and hundreds of chemo pills plus her clinical trial drug, Nancy was toxic from chemo, and was forced to stop treatment in June 2017. 

We we told/and thought the end was near, 
but here we are over 2 and a half years later!
Nancy is a trailblazer and inspiration to so many, but we have many challenges ahead of us.

Lyme Disease, Babesia and Epstein Barr Virus were found 6 months after diagnosis, leading to entirely
more complex medical mysteries to solve and an ongoing 6 days a week of intensive treatments.
All treatments from June 2017 through the present have been completely out of pocket. 
Nancy's daughter has been caregiving full time and has lost income during this time. 

Nancy has touched so, so many lives in a deep and meaningful way.  For decades, Nancy gave every moment of her life to her students and community, whether as an elementary teacher, President of the Monroe Historical Society and creator of a Hands on History Camp for kids, Eagle Scout mentor, head teacher for YMCA before and after school program, served on the Board of Education, Teacher of the Year, and was the 2016 Citizen of the Year in Monroe, Connecticut,  and sadly diagnosed with Brain Cancer 6 months later. 

But Nancy hasn't let this "new normal" define her. But we are asking for help at this time,
with the new challenges we are facing. 

Nancy must have Brain MRIs ever 6 weeks and has roughly 2 doctor appointments per day with Neuro Oncologist, Neuro Physical Therapist, Neuro Ophthalmologist, Naturopathic Oncologist, Integrative MD, and Lyme Literate MD to name a few.

Out of the blue, Nancy had 2 seizures in July, new brain lesions were discovered and are on close surveillance.
We are in emergency mode as we investigate options,  we need assistance as we gather second opinions for treatments and clinical trial options. 
We are evaluating options and brain surgery, chemo, radiation, experimental clinical trials, etc. may be on the horizon. 
It's unclear right now exactly what the next few months hold for us. 

One thing is certain: we (with all of your support) are fighting this cancer with everything we have.
Unfortunately, the cancer and the related treatment have made it impossible for us to work.

As a result, we have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and incurred insurmountable medical
bills and treatment costs in almost 3 years.
 All savings are gone, and can no longer offset this loss of income + addition of huge medical
and treatment expenses. 
We are humbly asking for your help. All funds raised will be used for Medical expenses for Nancy. 

Please help us alleviate the worry over the cost of care, the worry of paying bills to keep our home,
and a place for her to find comfort and heal as she goes through all of her treatments and continues to fight for her life. 
Any gift you can give would be greatly appreciated.

We all know and love Nancy in different ways: teacher, wife, friend, mother, coworker, confidant. I am sure
none of us would disagree that she is one of the most vibrant, energetic souls to touch any of our lives.
We are all so blessed to know her. All prayers & financial gifts are received with extreme gratitude and appreciation; we could not have the hope and the peace or the capacity to fight this without all of you!

Please know how deeply Nancy loves each of you. She speaks often of her amazement at the generosity and love that has been poured out during this journey.

How You Can Help:

Donate if you can: Every dollar means that Nancy can continue life-saving treatments! - We can't thank you enough.

Share our story: Please help raise awareness of our campaign by sharing Nancy's story with your friends and online.

Do a fun fundraiser in my name: Please consider me for your next fundraising efforts! Especially if you want to do something fun, silly, or a bit 'out there' - I'd be honored!

Thank you for your help in sharing this with your friends and online!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous and loving support for our family!