Charissa’s Cancer Journey

On June 4th, my sister Charissa was diagnosed with Breast Cancer- Aggressive Ductal Carcinoma- Triple Negative. Due to the nature of this diagnosis, her doctors have implemented an aggressive treatment plan. Next week Charissa will be starting chemotherapy treatments weekly for 3-4 months followed by a couple of surgeries (one being a double mastectomy).
**Update** Charissa will have 20 weeks of chemo followed by 1 surgery

Like many of you know, Charissa is one of the most loving, giving, and positive people you will ever meet! She is an amazing stay at home mom to her three small children (Elijah-7, Silas-5, and Anya-2). Her strong faith is evident as she loves attending Crossroads Church in Woodbury. She also loves camping, taking her kids to the park, and having adventures with her family. Everything she does, she puts in 115%!

Charissa’s family and friends are hoping to help the Bates family by offsetting the cost of upcoming childcare and medical expenses. We know that her family is extremely grateful for all of the love and support they have already received since discovering this horrible news.

We also welcome any and all prayers for Charissa and her family. Right now, we would love for extra prayers that the cancer is only in her breast and that she does not carry the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to for the Bates’ family as they begin this journey to health and healing.