On December 15th 2008, Aprill Ann Pedras began her treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 3B. This was over a year of back-and-forth with doctors, and specialists. In the months leading up to her diagnosis, Aprill suffered dramatic pain, weightloss, and fatigue. With some doctors suggesting iron deficiency, and one's haphazard insinuation of Bulimia.

It was shortly after Thanksgiving  of 2008 when Aprill's stomach pain became unbearable, and she was adimtted to University Hospital. After numerous tests and few results, Aprill was transferred to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. This is where she was ultimately diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage IVb. From that moment on, Aprill's treatment was vigorous. She underwent chemotherapy every week for five months followed up by two additional months of radiation therapy.

Throughout her treatments, Aprill was also contending with her freshman year of high school. This is usually a trying time for even the healthiest teenager, but Aprill had to contend with added stressors such hairloss, weakness, and diffuclty breathing among so many other symptoms. 

It wasn't until after a routine dental cleaning in the months afterward that her dentist noticed something. During the cleaning, Aprill's teeth began cracking, and crumbling. This was heartbreaking, being a young teenage girl at the time. Eating became difficult, and the sensitivity of the remaining teeth left her food options limited. In December of 2010, Aprill received caps on her remaining teeth to prevent them from degrading further. These caps ultimately were only a temporary solution to a much more serious (and complicated) problem. 

Aprill has been well, and in remission for many years now, but the damage to her teeth has been ongoing since her treatments ended. Her teeth have been slowly deteriorating as she eats. She has been from one dental expert to another, and the conclusion finally came to extractions of the broken teeth, and the need to create temperary dentures until permanent teeth can be implanted. 

This initiated an endless back-and-forth with insurance companies to see if these extensive procedures would be covered. The companies conclusively responded saying that they do not cover these procedures. Their reply stated that her teeth, crumbling due to extensive chemo and radiation treatments, was a "cosmetic" treatment and not a medical necessity. This created frustration within the family, and completely reduces this unfortunate result of her cancer treatments to a superficiality.

This conclusion has lead us here.

Aprill has been deeply effected by these circumstances. Strong, new teeth would allow her to easily consume foods that would be difficult otherwise which, as a result, would help with the much needed weight gain. The lost and degredation of her teeth resulted in a loss of self-esteem, and potential deformation of the jaw muscles and bones.


The out-of-pocket costs are astronomical for Aprill and her family to tackle on their own. The cost of the excavation procedures, and implants would be too much for us to tackle on our own.

This is where you come in!

We're reaching out to family, friends, and beyond for support!

All donations, no matter how small or how large would be appreciated more than we all could say.

It would also mean so much if you could share this with your friends and family via e-mail or social media (whatever you feel most comfortable with!)

We are infinitely grateful for your support, and look forward to reaching out to you with our love, and gratitude.

Thank you so, so much.

With love,

The Pedras Family