Anne Virbitsky Thomas’s medical bills

In March 2022, Anne Marie Virbitsky Thomas – a healthy, active, caring, involved and lifelong member of the Lakeland community in Northeastern Pennsylvania – celebrated her 60th birthday. Her annual and reliably entertaining Facebook countdown to spring was nearly over (she hates the cold), and her oldest son, Dave Leschak, and his wife, Jenny, were expecting their third child.

Anne was excited and hopeful, as always, they might have a girl. Afterall, she has 11 brothers, including a twin brother; three sons; and three grandsons.

Suffice it to say, life was good.

That March, Anne went to the doctor for a routine visit. Little did she know, this would begin a battle with multiple cancers. Following an initial Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis, she underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Anne was starting to feel on the up-and-up. Raelyn – her first granddaughter – was born in May, and life in many ways was returning to normal.

Then, in December 2022, Anne sought medical attention again due to unusually severe muscle pain and exhaustion. Doctors were hopeful this was just a side effect from her breast cancer treatment. She was hospitalized for additional testing. Scans and biopsies uncovered a very rare internal form of Stage 4 melanoma (skin cancer) that spreads on the inside of the body making it very difficult to diagnose. She had tumors on many parts of her body, including intramuscular tumors. This caused extreme pain and fatigue.

Anne – a fighter – was hanging as tough as she could. At this point, she began a chemo pill treatment, which appeared to be working as her tumors went away, her energy returned, and she was at baseline. Doctors warned, however, her fight with cancer was likely not over.

In April 2023, neurological issues surfaced. Anne returned to the hospital for a few round of tests, including EKG, CT scans and a full brain MRI. The tests confirmed the cancer had spread to her brain, and she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, cancer in the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. Anne immediately began full brain radiation treatment and immunotherapy will follow.

At this point, Anne needs a tremendous amount of care and assistance as her treatment continues. Her husband, Bob, has been taking care of Anne, with the assistance of the family. This journey has been a physical, mental, and financial strain for both Anne and Bob. While they use all their efforts and energy to continue to fight this terrible disease, including near daily treatments, the bills continue to come.

We are asking you to donate within your means to help Anne beat this cancer and return to a normal life. Through prayer, we hope. With hope, we love. And with love, we overcome incredible odds. For love, conquers all. Thank you for praying, for hoping, for loving Anne in this time of need.