Help Victoria fight cancer!
Donation protected
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for coming to read Victoria’s story. Anyone who has the pleasure of knowing Victoria knows that she lights up every room that she walks into with her smile and contagious positivity. Shortly after birth, Victoria was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF), Type 1. Neurofibromas are noncancerous (benign) tumors that grow along the nerves usually near the spinal cord. The likelihood of NF becoming cancer is very low. However, unfortunately, in 2020, at just 13 years old, Victoria was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST). At this point, the doctors determined that surgery to remove the growing tumors was the best course of action, so Victoria underwent her first surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. Shortly after that, another tumor was found near her spinal cord, so Victoria underwent her second surgery. Her third surgery would follow six months after that, where she would lose feeling in her upper thigh due to the tumor being so entangled in a nerve. This surgery was followed by 6 weeks of radiation during the summer going into her junior year.
Through all of this, Victoria has been the most optimistic, happiest person you could ever meet. She is so positive and upbeat that you would never know what she has had to endure throughout her journey to good health. From spending countless hours in scan machines, to terrible reactions from anesthesia, to several hospital stays, Victoria’s optimism never wavered.
Everyone had hoped this would be the last time Victoria would have to hear the word cancer. Sadly, that was not the case. February 2023 brought news that no one wanted or expected. The cancer was back and it had spread to include lots of small spots. Since surgery is not possible given the number of tumors, Victoria’s doctors recommended an intense round of chemotherapy treatments. She would have to go to the hospital for three days of chemo every three weeks. The expectation was that chemo, followed by surgery, then radiation, and more chemo would help minimize the tumors. Last week, after she completed the first two rounds of chemo (the second round resulting in a hospital stay from becoming so sick), Victoria and her family learned devastating news that her scans showed more cancer, not less.
Her next, and only option in Massachusetts includes a more intense chemotherapy which requires five days of chemotherapy treatment in the hospital, every three weeks, as opposed to the three days. Because Victoria is a fighter, she elected to give this chemo option a try. However, due to the low likelihood of this chemo working, Victoria’s family is currently seeking other opinions and options which will likely require out of state travel.
Through all of this, Victoria has remained a shining star. She continues to be a superior student, making honor roll all three quarters despite having to miss many days of school for chemo, recovery and appointments. To say that she is absolutely adored by her friends and teachers would be the understatement of the century! She also works after school when she can, taking care of children at the after-care program at our elementary school in town. Victoria loves school and her job so much that she does everything in her power to be at both places as much as she can. She is truly remarkable and such an inspiration to everyone she encounters. Her resiliency is admirable and her positive mindset is something to aspire to. She is blessed to have the strongest support system and community behind her as she does everything in her power to beat this cancer.
This all being said, as Victoria and her family endure one of the hardest battles of their lives, we would like to support them by donating funds to help pay for her treatment, travel, and any other unexpected medical related costs. As you can imagine, the financial burden has already taken a toll with the countless drives to and from Boston Children’s Hospital from Millbury and the time off from work so that her parents could be by her side at every appointment, treatment session, surgery and recovery period. Please know that any little bit will help and be more than appreciated. Victoria and her family are the absolute last people to seek out financial support like this but desperate times call for desperate measures in a situation as sensitive as this one.
Lastly and most importantly, your thoughts, prayers, and positive healing vibes are very much welcomed and appreciated as we support Victoria in her battle to kick cancer’s butt!
Thank you for your kindness and consideration.
Thank you for coming to read Victoria’s story. Anyone who has the pleasure of knowing Victoria knows that she lights up every room that she walks into with her smile and contagious positivity. Shortly after birth, Victoria was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF), Type 1. Neurofibromas are noncancerous (benign) tumors that grow along the nerves usually near the spinal cord. The likelihood of NF becoming cancer is very low. However, unfortunately, in 2020, at just 13 years old, Victoria was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST). At this point, the doctors determined that surgery to remove the growing tumors was the best course of action, so Victoria underwent her first surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. Shortly after that, another tumor was found near her spinal cord, so Victoria underwent her second surgery. Her third surgery would follow six months after that, where she would lose feeling in her upper thigh due to the tumor being so entangled in a nerve. This surgery was followed by 6 weeks of radiation during the summer going into her junior year.
Through all of this, Victoria has been the most optimistic, happiest person you could ever meet. She is so positive and upbeat that you would never know what she has had to endure throughout her journey to good health. From spending countless hours in scan machines, to terrible reactions from anesthesia, to several hospital stays, Victoria’s optimism never wavered.
Everyone had hoped this would be the last time Victoria would have to hear the word cancer. Sadly, that was not the case. February 2023 brought news that no one wanted or expected. The cancer was back and it had spread to include lots of small spots. Since surgery is not possible given the number of tumors, Victoria’s doctors recommended an intense round of chemotherapy treatments. She would have to go to the hospital for three days of chemo every three weeks. The expectation was that chemo, followed by surgery, then radiation, and more chemo would help minimize the tumors. Last week, after she completed the first two rounds of chemo (the second round resulting in a hospital stay from becoming so sick), Victoria and her family learned devastating news that her scans showed more cancer, not less.
Her next, and only option in Massachusetts includes a more intense chemotherapy which requires five days of chemotherapy treatment in the hospital, every three weeks, as opposed to the three days. Because Victoria is a fighter, she elected to give this chemo option a try. However, due to the low likelihood of this chemo working, Victoria’s family is currently seeking other opinions and options which will likely require out of state travel.
Through all of this, Victoria has remained a shining star. She continues to be a superior student, making honor roll all three quarters despite having to miss many days of school for chemo, recovery and appointments. To say that she is absolutely adored by her friends and teachers would be the understatement of the century! She also works after school when she can, taking care of children at the after-care program at our elementary school in town. Victoria loves school and her job so much that she does everything in her power to be at both places as much as she can. She is truly remarkable and such an inspiration to everyone she encounters. Her resiliency is admirable and her positive mindset is something to aspire to. She is blessed to have the strongest support system and community behind her as she does everything in her power to beat this cancer.
This all being said, as Victoria and her family endure one of the hardest battles of their lives, we would like to support them by donating funds to help pay for her treatment, travel, and any other unexpected medical related costs. As you can imagine, the financial burden has already taken a toll with the countless drives to and from Boston Children’s Hospital from Millbury and the time off from work so that her parents could be by her side at every appointment, treatment session, surgery and recovery period. Please know that any little bit will help and be more than appreciated. Victoria and her family are the absolute last people to seek out financial support like this but desperate times call for desperate measures in a situation as sensitive as this one.
Lastly and most importantly, your thoughts, prayers, and positive healing vibes are very much welcomed and appreciated as we support Victoria in her battle to kick cancer’s butt!
Thank you for your kindness and consideration.
Co-organizers (2)
Heidi Desautels
Organizer
Millbury, MA
Susan Arrell
Beneficiary
Joanna Morin
Co-organizer