Update (12/3):

Sydney met with her neuro oncologist for the first time. The diagnosis of a grade two astrocytoma was confirmed. The treatment plan has not been established yet. Chemo, radiation, and a new drug which can delay recurrence are all still possible. She is still recovering and in pain every day—although it’s getting better every week. She is still asking for help and is so grateful for the kindness she’s been shown.

Update (10/30):

Sydney received an official diagnosis of an astrocytoma after her resection surgery. This is a form of brain cancer that attacks healthy brain cells and forms the tumor. She has a follow up appointment within the next two weeks to discuss further treatment. Despite the medications she went home with, she is still in incredible pain and cannot perform her day to day activities without excessive amounts of rest. Please consider donating and sharing her story to help her heal without the worry of finances getting in the way of her health.

update (10/27):

home from surgery! in lots of pain and am so tired, but the surgery went well, and now we just have to wait to get the pathology results back from the tumor itself.

Sydney has been diagnosed with a low-grade glioma — a likely cancerous brain tumor located in her right temporal lobe. Her doctors have recommended surgery soon to remove it. This will involve a hospital stay and several weeks of recovery time.

This diagnosis came just after Sydney’s 23rd birthday, turning what should have been a time of celebration into one filled with fear, hospital visits, and hard decisions. Despite everything, she continues to face each step with the same strength and grace that define her — surrounded by the love of her fiancée, Mikaela, and their two beloved pets — a cheerful dog named Sunshine and a mischievous cat named Beetlejuice — who bring comfort and love through this difficult time. She is also surrounded by the love and support of her parents, siblings, and family throughout this journey.

Sydney is a first-year law student at Villanova, passionate about justice and determined to make a difference in the world. She has spent years working toward her dream of becoming an attorney, but now she must temporarily set that dream aside as she faces brain surgery to remove the tumor.

Because of the surgery and recovery, Sydney will have to take a medical leave from school. Depending on how quickly she recovers, this means she may lose her student loan refund check — the money she relies on to pay her rent and daily living expenses. On top of that, she is facing mounting medical bills, follow-up appointments, and the cost of being unable to work while she heals.

Anyone who knows Sydney knows her strength, her kindness, and her quiet determination. Even in the face of fear, she continues to look forward with hope — not just for recovery, but for the chance to return to school, finish her degree, and keep building the future she’s worked so hard for.

Sydney’s friends and family know her as someone who never gives up — a person who finds light in the darkest moments and who believes, like her favorite artist Taylor Swift, that we can still find beauty and poetry in the hard parts of life.

All donations will go directly toward rent, medical bills, transportation to appointments, and daily living expenses while Sydney recovers from surgery. Every dollar, share, and message of support means the world to her, Mikaela, and her family as they face this together.

Thank you for helping Sydney heal — and for giving her the chance to focus on what matters most right now: getting better.

UPDATE (10/19):

Sydney has her surgery scheduled for Thursday, October 23. After removal, the tumor will be sent off to pathology for testing to determine specifically what type of glioma this is. The results will take one to two weeks and will further outline what future treatment is required.

Sydney has also been surrounded by so much love over these past couple weeks. Her friends, family, fiancee, and even her school have embraced her and are supporting her in whatever ways they can. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared this post, and has given her words of encouragement. ♥️