Stephanie Whitmore
Donation protected
Sometimes, you get lucky and the people whom you work with become more than just your co-workers, they become family. When something happens to one of them, it affects all of us. Matt Whitmore is part of our ZF/FCA family and when he told us that his wife was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, it was a complete shock, which was then followed by all different emotions. What do you say to someone after they tell you this? What can you do for them? That’s when Mike Reisig, Kayla Gates, Ken Smith, Shelby Metheny, Angie Crenshaw-Scott, LaTonya Coney, Judi Mitti, Marty Agosta and myself, Mallory Smith thought we should create a Go Fund Me account to try and help ease their minds in the financial aspect. Our goal is to raise money to cover all expenses that may be directly or indirectly related to Stephanie’s treatment.
We will continue to keep everyone updated with the progress of Stephanie’s treatment.
A Message from Stephanie:
Today, I was asked to write a letter. Today, I had to let down my guard. Today, I cried. And today, I am asking for your help. Today, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
I am a 37 year old mother of two, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I don't deserve this...NO ONE DOES! The tumor is large, consuming about 80% of my right breast. I am scared! I am not scared of dying…I am too stubborn for that. I am scared for my family, my sanity, my health after chemotherapy, and I am scared for our financial circumstances. We’ve decided that I will take a medical leave of absence from my job, to spend more time with my family, and in order to take care of myself. I need to save my energy to FIGHT THIS!
I never could have imagined that I could be the one with cancer, I eat healthier than most people I know, drink my green juice, and take apple cider vinegar-everyday. I eat only organic at home, I don't use toxic chemicals on my body or in my house...all because I wasn't going to get cancer! Well, cancer doesn't care that I have tried to live a healthy lifestyle, it doesn't care that I have an autistic son who needs me, it doesn't care that I have a teenage daughter, a loving husband, it doesn’t care that I had vacations planned, bills to pay, and a life to LIVE - CANCER DOES NOT CARE!!
BUT Cancer does not win either! Next week, I start the fight of my life. I will receive Chemo every other week for several months and then once a week for several more. After six months, I will have surgery and at minimum, a mastectomy. After I heal from surgery, I’ll start daily radiation, for another two months. My fight will be in total, about nine months, if all goes as planned.
Because I believe so strongly in the holistic approach as well, I’ve been seeing a Naturopathic Doctor to access and outline my dietary and supplemental needs. I’ve also started doing yoga again, at Happy Dog Yoga Studio in Port Huron, and will be doing reiki sessions with them as well. From here on, I will be putting my health and well-being first, for the first-time ever!
Today, I hope you will find in your heart to join me on my journey. Encourage my recovery with your kind-thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers. Today, please don't feel sorry for me, today is another day that I get to wake up, and Today-is a GOOD day!
With an open heart I thank you,
Stephanie Whitmore
We will continue to keep everyone updated with the progress of Stephanie’s treatment.
A Message from Stephanie:
Today, I was asked to write a letter. Today, I had to let down my guard. Today, I cried. And today, I am asking for your help. Today, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
I am a 37 year old mother of two, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I don't deserve this...NO ONE DOES! The tumor is large, consuming about 80% of my right breast. I am scared! I am not scared of dying…I am too stubborn for that. I am scared for my family, my sanity, my health after chemotherapy, and I am scared for our financial circumstances. We’ve decided that I will take a medical leave of absence from my job, to spend more time with my family, and in order to take care of myself. I need to save my energy to FIGHT THIS!
I never could have imagined that I could be the one with cancer, I eat healthier than most people I know, drink my green juice, and take apple cider vinegar-everyday. I eat only organic at home, I don't use toxic chemicals on my body or in my house...all because I wasn't going to get cancer! Well, cancer doesn't care that I have tried to live a healthy lifestyle, it doesn't care that I have an autistic son who needs me, it doesn't care that I have a teenage daughter, a loving husband, it doesn’t care that I had vacations planned, bills to pay, and a life to LIVE - CANCER DOES NOT CARE!!
BUT Cancer does not win either! Next week, I start the fight of my life. I will receive Chemo every other week for several months and then once a week for several more. After six months, I will have surgery and at minimum, a mastectomy. After I heal from surgery, I’ll start daily radiation, for another two months. My fight will be in total, about nine months, if all goes as planned.
Because I believe so strongly in the holistic approach as well, I’ve been seeing a Naturopathic Doctor to access and outline my dietary and supplemental needs. I’ve also started doing yoga again, at Happy Dog Yoga Studio in Port Huron, and will be doing reiki sessions with them as well. From here on, I will be putting my health and well-being first, for the first-time ever!
Today, I hope you will find in your heart to join me on my journey. Encourage my recovery with your kind-thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers. Today, please don't feel sorry for me, today is another day that I get to wake up, and Today-is a GOOD day!
With an open heart I thank you,
Stephanie Whitmore
Organizer and beneficiary
Mallory Smith
Organizer
Port Huron, MI
Matthew Whitmore
Beneficiary