Help Support Bethany's Cancer Recovery & Expenses

July 07, 2023 Update:

HELLO FRIENDS, FAMILY, and GENEROUS STRANGERS,

Cancer Sucks! As you know, I’ve been struggling mightily with cancer and financial woes this year, and I wanted to post an update. Unfortunately, there have been setbacks in my treatment, my finances, and in my emotional state.

Medically, I have had some side effects from the cancer medications, and my care team and I are working to resolve them. While this has put some of my treatment on hold, I will be having another surgery on July 17. If you’re keeping count, this will be my fifth surgery.

Which brings me to the financial setback. Even though I have another surgery around the corner, I was planning on going back to work. Because I have only been a California resident for a short time, my state disability has run dry, and I do not qualify for more. Knowing this, and despite my pending surgery and recovery, I reached out to my employer, asking to come back. The response? Instead of returning to work, I was possibly going to be laid off. Yes, this tech company had joined the long list of other companies that are in the middle of mass layoffs. Just yesterday, a week after the fact, they decided they were going to throw me in the pool of those selected for layoff. I honestly did not think I could be laid off while on disability, but apparently, I was wrong.

Which brings me to my emotional setback. As I find myself without any disability income and no job, I am stressed out and scared. As you know, elevated levels of cortisol are bad for anyone and especially brutal for someone like me undergoing cancer treatment. I am doing my best to get things going to begin the process of looking for a new job, but the market is rough, and my upcoming treatments are a liability in the job search.

Which brings me to my ask. Can you donate to my GoFundMe? Can you share this message with your friends? Can you help me with my job search?

I send my gratitude and love to you all for your support and caring over this sucky time in my life.

Cancer sucks, but love wins.

XXOO-Bethany

February 5, 2023 Update:

Can you continue to open your heart (and wallet) for Bethany? We are incredibly grateful for the help given so far, but Bethany had to undergo a SECOND surgery which means more costs than Bethany can afford. Every dollar helps.

Why a second surgery? After her first surgery (11 hours!), the pathology reports did not come back clear. This meant either a second surgery or more radiation. And while the second surgery does not guarantee she won’t need radiation, it will mean less radiation.

Help us help Bethany through an emotionally and financially trying time. Thanks in advance!

Please give generously and share widely with your friends and colleagues.

January 11, 2023 Update:

THANK YOU everyone who has been so supportive, kind, and generous.

Today, Bethany started on "Phase 2" of her cancer journey. She successfully completed 5 of 6 chemo treatments and now is starting the mastectomy and reconstructive phase. While there have been complications along the way - her health trajectory is the bright sunny spot!

The tricky part continues to be financing this monster. Honestly, I don't know how anyone can afford to have breast cancer. Not only is every treatment a battle with the insurance companies, but the therapy, supportive care, and prep work is a nightmare.

Please share Bethany's story with your friends and colleagues - she is not out of the woods yet and still needs support. It could be months before her disability claim is sorted out - both California and Washington are rejecting her claim because she moved! This means she has no income - not even the partial disability at this point.

It's shocking that healthcare coverage and life expenses are taking as much of a toll as her actual cancer battle.

Your prayers, kindness and generosity make such a huge difference.

Thank you!

Team Bethany

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Imagine if you were 40, about to live past the age your mother died, and then you discovered you had cancer.

Meet our dear friend Bethany Zoe: an environmentalist, animal lover, activist, and so much more. She's got a heart of gold and loves unconditionally. But this brave soul needs your help.

On June 20th, 2022, Bethany was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her plans on June 26th to commemorate her mother’s life and focus on a hopeful future were dashed. Bethany now has to deal with the memory of her mother's death while she struggles to save her own life.

Bethany's mother died when Bethany was 7 years old, leaving her to be raised by an abusive father who repeatedly told her she would never amount to anything. Despite all this, she earned a master's degree in environmental and wildlife conservation and has worked for environmental groups and mission-based companies. While working for a mental wellness and health company, she learned that she had cancer and needed immediate treatment.

The enormous scope of her cancer and the devastating treatments ahead coming into focus, Bethany decided to move back to LA. In LA, she could receive world-class treatment while surrounded by her friends and colleagues who could give her the emotional support she needed.

However, Bethany knew she was facing an uphill battle since she is financially entirely alone. Bethany was holding it together, working full time and living as simply as possible since all her money went to treatments. But as the medical bills began piling up, other unavoidable obstacles hit her head-on and focused her into the position of having to choose between paying her bills and getting the treatment she needed to keep her cancer from taking her life. And though she continued to work full-time, the mounting bills have jeopardized her ability to pay for the necessary therapies to keep her alive.

The most recent blow; her gallbladder was so severely damaged from chemo that she was rushed into emergency surgery two days before her birthday. So now her out-of-pocket costs are over $50,000 and counting. On top of that, she still has to consider the aftercare and the reconstruction surgery and whether she will be able to work at her current pace to keep receiving the help she needs.

Bethany's LA friend-family is asking you to help. Please share a gift for Bethany and pass this story on to others who might share a gift, then forward it to their networks. If many people give small gifts, Bethany might not only reach her 42nd birthday in 2023, but also thrive with a bright future ahead of her.

Heidi Parker, Lisa Holt, Maya Q. Rogel, Nicole Russell, Zack Cork, Carrie Nedrow, Tobi Sackheim, Marissa Niranjan, Raheleh Roozestan