Cawley’s Cancer Relief

My name is Alyssa Hoffman and I’m the daughter of Spencer and Kristen Cawley.

My Mom was diagnosed with and started treatments for Stage 3 breast cancer last year. Around the time she began treatment, my Dad began dealing with an increase of a variety of symptoms that was recently, only a short year later, diagnosed as Renal Cell Carcinoma.

I am hoping to ease their financial stress as much as possible during their simultaneous ongoing cancer treatments in order to help them better prioritize their healing and allow them the ability to get back on their feet.

My Mom has already endured multiple surgeries, chemo, and radiation, as well as related complications including sepsis, blood clots, and needing a heart ablation.

During her hospitalization for sepsis, they found multiple nodules in her lungs that have been growing despite steroid treatment. We are currently waiting and watching for confirmation of the diagnosis of these nodules and are expecting ongoing treatment regardless.

Meanwhile, my Dad is being required to regain some of his strength before he can undergo the full removal of his kidney along with the tumor as chemo is ineffective against this type of cancer. At that time they'll be able to better assess its spread, staging, and full extent of his treatment.

The kidney removal surgery alone will require weeks of recovery and greatly reduce his ability to continue working his current hours at a time when he has been the sole provider for their household.

My Mom retired as a full-time elementary school teacher shortly before her cancer diagnosis and has since decided to return to subbing a couple days a week, despite her current condition. She is slowly trying to regain her energy and endurance even with the reduced capacity of her lungs but is facing the possibility of further limitations depending on the progression and diagnosis of the lung nodules.

They have already faced and managed the loss of one income over the last year and are now having to assess the likely repercussions of losing both income streams while accruing 2x the medical expenses and still caring for my 17 yr old brother living at home.

Trying to overcome all the realities and unknowns that are thrown your way with one cancer diagnosis is incredibly daunting, let alone two! I am asking for donations to help ease some of these burdens for them at this time. Thank you in advance, truly, for whatever you are able to donate. It is more appreciated than you will ever know.