Fight Like A Squirrel

Hi, my name is Larisa Czernowski and I'm fundraising for our friend and beloved community member Kandi Kirby.

As some of you may know, on January 18th, our friend Kandi received a phone call following up on a biopsy. The pathology report came back positive for breast cancer. Fortunately, with today's technology, breast cancer is a diagnosis, not a death sentence. It is completely curable. The battle begins with a surgery scheduled for 2/2/22 to have the lump removed. Following the surgery, since the cancer cell has a receptor, the medical team is opting for radiation and then hormone repressive therapy which can help reduce estrogen and further reduce the risk of reoccurring cancer. This is the best-case scenario.

Kandi does have medical insurance through her employer that is covering a large amount of these costs. Unfortunately, she is still looking to pay a large amount out of pocket and financial assistance is not made available through the hospital until the final billing is complete which is set to occur 10-12 months down the road. Kandi has a long road of recovery ahead of her, and as a single-parent household is looking to incur a large out-of-pocket expense. It is my hope that our vastly large and loving community will do what they can to support her through this so that she is able to recover without worry. This includes keeping the safety of her and Kayden's home intact by covering basic needs such as food and other necessities as well as staying covered in the case where she is taking time off from work from the possible medical complications or illness due to radiation and hormone therapy.

Anyone who knows or who has heard of Kandi, more than likely has been touched by, helped, or heard of her generous, supportive, and brave personality as she continues to overcome odds in life today and give back to others. I want to personally thank all who find a way, whether it be through a donation, a message of support, or simply sharing this page to support Kandi. All prayers are gladly welcome as she continues to trudge this path.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the importance of self-breast exams, which doctors recommend to do once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Also, getting regular check-ups to catch these things early on. The earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Your doctor or nurse can tell whether your breasts look and feel healthy. This protocol was key in Kandi's early detection and treatment.