Our dear friend, Stephanie Bailey, was diagnosed with a recurrence of stage 4 ovarian cancer and had three tumors removed from the surface of her liver. Stephanie endured another major surgery to remove the 3 tumors from her liver, but they grew back within less than a month. Even her surgeon was surprised and shocked by this, as she had not seen tumors return so quickly. The surgeon had even removed parts of Steph’s liver to make sure she had removed everything, yet the cancer still came roaring back. 

Steph, a public school art teacher, has endured 8 months of chemotherapy which, sadly, did not kill the tumors, just temporarily paused their growth. Stephanie just started a parp inhibitor, a medication which will hopefully delay the return of active cancer growth. This med is taken twice a day for as long as it works. Unfortunately, it has side effects similar to chemotherapy and there is also a big risk of developing leukemia while on it. Weighed against the risk of the ovarian cancer growing again, her oncologist thinks this is the right next step. She has had to stay home for the past almost year and a half due to covid-19 and her compromised immune system. Stephanie's friends are her family, so it’s been a lonely, uphill battle to get through surgery and treatment without friends being able to visit and boost her spirits. 

Stephanie was first diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer four years ago. She successfully battled cancer back then through surgery, chemotherapy, the support of friends, and a positive attitude. She’s really sad and scared that it has returned on her liver.

Stephanie is a public school art teacher for the Alpine (NJ) School District who is dedicated to teaching her young, creative students. She's been teaching in public schools for 19 years and previously taught art and French in the Edgewater, NJ, school district and started her teaching career in an after-school art studio for kids, ArtLab, in Westfield, NJ, while still in college. Stephanie enjoys making art in her spare time and taking care of her beloved rescue dogs and birds and her garden.

Ovarian cancer treatment is long, arduous and expensive for the patient undergoing it. We’re asking for help so that Stephanie is covered for medical issues as well as other expenses like rides to and from doctors’ appointments and treatment sessions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City. Our intention is to help Stephanie tackle this challenge head-on with as little stress as possible. 

Despite all of this, Stephanie has an amazingly positive spirit and outlook. She is a wonderful person who has always been there to help others. We know that whatever you can donate will help Stephanie in so many ways.  Even a small donation will make a difference for Stephanie. 

Thank you for your help as we try to ensure that her treatment prolongs her life and lessens her worries about everyday survival under these circumstances. Your generosity will be incredibly supportive and helpful to Stephanie during her battle for her life!!

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A former student of Stephanie's contacted a reporter, who wrote a story on how many of her former students are helping Steph fight this cancer by donating, cheering her on, and spreading the word. Their love and action has really helped Steph get through the worst times in her cancer battle:

https://www.nj.com/education/2020/11/former-students-school-friends-rally-to-aid-nj-teacher-battling-cancer.html