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In May 2017, our friend’s daughter, 21 year old Clarissa, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. According to all the doctors, if you’re going to get cancer, this is the one you want to get, as this is very treatable. After almost finishing all her chemotherapy treatments and planning to move on with her life, the symptoms she was previously experiencing had returned. She had a new pet scan, biopsy and the doctors discovered the cancer was GROWING during her treatment. This was absolutely devastating, as we all thought this nightmare was over. The doctors had misdiagnosed her and discovered she actually had Grey Zone Lymphoma. To make this worse, this cancer is rare and aggressive and does not respond well to treatment. Clarissa and her family were again lost in the cancer limbo and not sure what was going to happen next.
After, once again, consulting with her doctors, it was determined she should try radiation treatment. She completed 12 weeks of treatment and discovered just how awful cancer really is. During this time, she had stopped eating and talking due to the side effects of this treatment. She lost her hair and continues to lose weight. It has been over two years since Clarissa began battling this cancer. She has transformed from her family’s princess to a warrior. She has been brave and strong through all of this and has even attempted to help others by donating her long hair to Children With Hair Loss. She has also tried to help others facing this awful disease.
Clarissa is no longer a child battling cancer, she is an adult responsible for her own decisions, actions, and of course, her medical costs. Many of the resources available to help are allotted to children and even though Clarissa is our friend's child, she doesn't qualify for those resources. The financial burden of her treatments were beginning to pile up and Clarissa had to start the next course of her treatment plan. Clarissa and her doctors decided to go ahead with a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant from a donor. After a few complications, it was determined Clarissa would be able to use her own bone marrow and she started treatment. This treatment was exhausting and overwhelming at times…it was tough. Clarissa was able to celebrate her “2nd Birthday” as she completed her bone marrow transplant. She and her family were truly excited and grateful for all the help, love, and prayers they had received. For a moment, they thought this nightmare was over, but it wasn’t. After a few months, all of her symptoms returned and so did the feeling of hopelessness. However, after the initial feelings subsided, it was time to get back in the fight. Stanford Cancer Center threw their hands up and offered no other treatment options. She was then referred to a clinical trial in Texas. During this time, her cancer grew and action had to be taken to get that under control. Clarissa received an additional referral to the City of Hope in Pasadena. After the consultation, Clarissa and her family realized the treatment was the same as before, with just a few modifications. The family has been traveling to Pasadena every week for a few days at a time, while waiting for another clinical trial. This is all very frustrating and definitely instils a sense of depression and a feeling of being lost.
The cost of this treatment and the expenses associated with travel is piling up, frankly the cost cannot be sustained. This has impacted the whole family whose paid time off and paid family leave is completely exhausted.
The family has shared their situation with close family & friends and have always received a similar response of, "if there is anything we can do". As uncomfortable as this has been for the family, they are at the point where they are going to have to accept any assistance, financial or otherwise. If you are able, please donate and/or share their story. Thank you all in advance for any donations and your positive thoughts and prayers. The family will continue to update her gofundme page as they find out new details.
Clarissa’s mother, Tanya Beard, will be handling all funds.
After, once again, consulting with her doctors, it was determined she should try radiation treatment. She completed 12 weeks of treatment and discovered just how awful cancer really is. During this time, she had stopped eating and talking due to the side effects of this treatment. She lost her hair and continues to lose weight. It has been over two years since Clarissa began battling this cancer. She has transformed from her family’s princess to a warrior. She has been brave and strong through all of this and has even attempted to help others by donating her long hair to Children With Hair Loss. She has also tried to help others facing this awful disease.
Clarissa is no longer a child battling cancer, she is an adult responsible for her own decisions, actions, and of course, her medical costs. Many of the resources available to help are allotted to children and even though Clarissa is our friend's child, she doesn't qualify for those resources. The financial burden of her treatments were beginning to pile up and Clarissa had to start the next course of her treatment plan. Clarissa and her doctors decided to go ahead with a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant from a donor. After a few complications, it was determined Clarissa would be able to use her own bone marrow and she started treatment. This treatment was exhausting and overwhelming at times…it was tough. Clarissa was able to celebrate her “2nd Birthday” as she completed her bone marrow transplant. She and her family were truly excited and grateful for all the help, love, and prayers they had received. For a moment, they thought this nightmare was over, but it wasn’t. After a few months, all of her symptoms returned and so did the feeling of hopelessness. However, after the initial feelings subsided, it was time to get back in the fight. Stanford Cancer Center threw their hands up and offered no other treatment options. She was then referred to a clinical trial in Texas. During this time, her cancer grew and action had to be taken to get that under control. Clarissa received an additional referral to the City of Hope in Pasadena. After the consultation, Clarissa and her family realized the treatment was the same as before, with just a few modifications. The family has been traveling to Pasadena every week for a few days at a time, while waiting for another clinical trial. This is all very frustrating and definitely instils a sense of depression and a feeling of being lost.
The cost of this treatment and the expenses associated with travel is piling up, frankly the cost cannot be sustained. This has impacted the whole family whose paid time off and paid family leave is completely exhausted.
The family has shared their situation with close family & friends and have always received a similar response of, "if there is anything we can do". As uncomfortable as this has been for the family, they are at the point where they are going to have to accept any assistance, financial or otherwise. If you are able, please donate and/or share their story. Thank you all in advance for any donations and your positive thoughts and prayers. The family will continue to update her gofundme page as they find out new details.
Clarissa’s mother, Tanya Beard, will be handling all funds.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tanya Beard
Beneficiary