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Brittany’s journey with Renal Cell Carcinoma

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Imagine finding out (out of the blue), at 32 years of age, that you have cancer; renal cell carcinoma to be exact. Then, try to imagine finding out through a MyGeisinger message, and not even a phone call. This is a reality for many individuals, and a sad one at that.

Hello, my name is Brandi and as a friend of Brittany for roughly 20 years, I am making this fundraiser in attempt to pull together as a community to help Brittany cover expenses while she begins her journey fighting Renal cell carcinoma.

Brittany is overly active, and goes to the gym daily. She has the kind of drive most of us wish we had, or I can say that I wish I had. In November, Brittany realized she was retaining quite a bit of fluid in her lower extremities, and right hand. Being the avid gym goer she is, she works out and weighs herself frequently. When she stepped on the scale, she was in disbelief that in under two weeks, she had gained 17.5 lbs. Looking at her fluid retention, she could only assume it was the culprit.

With A LOT of encouragement, Brittany went to the emergency room to look for answers. Her lab work came back “okay”, to which they ordered a CT scan. Her CT scan showed both an ovarian cyst, and a kidney stone- both of which she has experienced issues with in the past. However the findings sadly didn’t stop there. Next they informed her they had found a mass in her right kidney, which was suspicious for renal cell carcinoma.

Multiple appointments and a biopsy later confirmed Brittany’s worse fear. The mass was in fact a tumor and the biopsy results showed exactly that, Renal cell carcinoma.

These were the scariest words Brittany said she has ever heard, which goes without saying. The last month for her has been beyond scary and traumatic. 32 years young, active, healthy. But as we all know, cancer doesn’t discriminate.

More appointments in the days after however, gave hope to us all, as they believe the cancer is solely contained to her right kidney.

With that said, on January 23rd, Brittany will be admitted to the hospital for a nephrectomy. Her right kidney will be removed in its entirety, in hopes to fully remove the cancer from her body.

*** Why the go fund me? Sadly, Brittany has no available sick time, no option for FMLA, and no short/long term disability to help her financially through her time off of work. She is already facing hardships getting time off of work, and we are only beginning the battle of continuing these appointments, having surgery, being off the estimated 6-8 week recovery period post operation, and the appointments to follow to verify the cancer is in fact, gone. She is fearful she will lose her job throughout her battle as she has no option but to put her health first.

I know the drive we have within our community. I have seen the way we have all pulled together MANY TIMES before. I’m asking you personally to share this for me, and for Brittany as it’s totally free to do. If you can afford to donate, even if only $1.00, that’s $1.00 less she will have to worry about to keep her head above water while she is navigating this very new and scary journey. The last thing she needs to worry about right now is paying for these medical bills, keeping her lights on, her house warm, and her belly full. Please, if you can- let’s show her she has a community behind her!

Please feel free to leave words of encouragement & love for Brittany!

“I am okay. I will be okay. I have an amazing support system. But, something for everyone to take away from it…. when your body tells you something is wrong… listen to it!!! Because it probably is! Don’t just ignore it thinking it’ll go away.. ❤️” - Brittany




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Donations 

  • Mallory Gricoskie
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Adam Simmonds
    • $100
    • 1 yr
  • Natasha Wray
    • $20
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $10
    • 1 yr
  • Courtney Cook
    • $50
    • 1 yr
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Organizer

Brandi Heim
Organizer
Mifflinville, PA

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