A Cancer as Rare as Vivi
Donation protected
Hi Friends,
This is Stacee’s daughter, Vivi. Well this was Vivi 16 ½ years ago but this is who I still see when I think of Vi. Vivi started at Evergreen when she was 18 months old, right around the time Stacee started teaching with us. Vivi spent her first 6 years with us full time, but she stayed involved with Evergreen for many years to follow. Many of you remember Vivi hanging out on the toddler side assisting her mom, especially during the summer months. Vivi’s sense of humor, authenticity with young children, willingness to be silly and her understanding of the value of play, made her the perfect volunteer at Evergreen.
Needless to say, I love this girl with all my heart and have absolutely loved watching her grow up. Vivi is now 18 years old and started at SBCC in the fall. Just as early adulthood was making an appearance, Vivi and her family got the news that stopped us all in our tracks. A few weeks ago, Vivi was diagnosed with a super rare form on cancer, Alveolar soft part sarcoma.
As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been extremely scary and uncertain. There have already been numerous doctor appointments, 2 surgeries and because this is such a rare diagnosis, Stacee and Oldemar have had to take Vivi to UCLA a number of times.
The one bit of good news, last Tuesday Stacee found out that it looks like they were able to get all the malignant cells the first time they removed the initial tumor. Some relief for sure! However, this rare form of cancer needs to monitored carefully which means Vivi will have to get regular scans, every 5 months, for at least the next 5 years.
We as adults, can often take on so much of what life throws our way but when it happens to our children, it’s a whole different kind of fear and anxiety. Stacee and Oldemar have a lot they are dealing with right now, an added financial burden and accumulating financial debt should not, does not have to be one of them. It’s only been a few weeks and even with health insurance, the bills are already coming in.
This is where I am asking for your help. Over the 22 years that Evergreen has operated, we have literally given away hundreds of thousands in scholarships and reduced tuition to so many in the community. I am now asking for your help in return, even if it’s just a few dollars. Please consider making a donation so that the only thing this family has to be burdened with is a gnarly knee scar on Vivi. Please share this Go Fund Me as much as you can and let’s help support this super rad family!
This is Stacee’s daughter, Vivi. Well this was Vivi 16 ½ years ago but this is who I still see when I think of Vi. Vivi started at Evergreen when she was 18 months old, right around the time Stacee started teaching with us. Vivi spent her first 6 years with us full time, but she stayed involved with Evergreen for many years to follow. Many of you remember Vivi hanging out on the toddler side assisting her mom, especially during the summer months. Vivi’s sense of humor, authenticity with young children, willingness to be silly and her understanding of the value of play, made her the perfect volunteer at Evergreen.
Needless to say, I love this girl with all my heart and have absolutely loved watching her grow up. Vivi is now 18 years old and started at SBCC in the fall. Just as early adulthood was making an appearance, Vivi and her family got the news that stopped us all in our tracks. A few weeks ago, Vivi was diagnosed with a super rare form on cancer, Alveolar soft part sarcoma.
As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been extremely scary and uncertain. There have already been numerous doctor appointments, 2 surgeries and because this is such a rare diagnosis, Stacee and Oldemar have had to take Vivi to UCLA a number of times.
The one bit of good news, last Tuesday Stacee found out that it looks like they were able to get all the malignant cells the first time they removed the initial tumor. Some relief for sure! However, this rare form of cancer needs to monitored carefully which means Vivi will have to get regular scans, every 5 months, for at least the next 5 years.
We as adults, can often take on so much of what life throws our way but when it happens to our children, it’s a whole different kind of fear and anxiety. Stacee and Oldemar have a lot they are dealing with right now, an added financial burden and accumulating financial debt should not, does not have to be one of them. It’s only been a few weeks and even with health insurance, the bills are already coming in.
This is where I am asking for your help. Over the 22 years that Evergreen has operated, we have literally given away hundreds of thousands in scholarships and reduced tuition to so many in the community. I am now asking for your help in return, even if it’s just a few dollars. Please consider making a donation so that the only thing this family has to be burdened with is a gnarly knee scar on Vivi. Please share this Go Fund Me as much as you can and let’s help support this super rad family!
Organizer and beneficiary
Loretta Smargon
Organizer
Goleta, CA
Stacee Grant
Beneficiary