My sister-in-law, Danielle Dufresne (Dee), was diagnosed with stage 4 leiomyosarcoma last November, which had metastasized to her lungs. Leiomyosarcoma is not a curable cancer, but it is treatable. The goal of treatment is to keep her tumors stable.

Danielle got into a trial and was doing well up until this past summer. Danielle was told she had a new tumor in her ovary, and then in August, was told the new tumor had grown larger, as did the biggest tumor in her lungs. Danielle had to leave the trial she was in and was placed on a new chemo regimen called Gem/Tax.

This new chemotherapy hit Dee hard, she was hospitalized twice after her first treatment. Danielle suffered from infection, fevers, body rash, extreme fatigue, with severe muscle and joint pain.

Throughout her diagnosis, Danielle continued working, but with this new treatment, she is no longer able to work the hours she did. She receives treatment more frequently than when in the trial, and it’s been hard on her body. It has caused her more downtime being sick and longer recovery time in between chemotherapy sessions.

On top of all she is going through the home she and her family have lived in for 20 plus years sold and the new owner is redoing the whole house, so Dee and her family need to move. They have until January to find a new apartment or rental home and with one income this is going to be challenging needing 1st, last and security as well as taking care of all other daily expenses.

There will be a fundraiser November 16th from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Lafayette in Taunton. I am hoping this will be an amazing turnout for Danielle. I know not everyone will be able to attend, and so I created this GoFundMe for those people who are unable to go and for those who would like to give more.

Her fight is our fight. #DOITFORDEE