Hello, I am Nancy Cunningham, Heather’s Aunt (Jean’s sister) and on behalf of all of her aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings, we have started this GoFundMe account to ease the burden of Heather Mercier’s medical bills. Since her first diagnosis in January 2023, Heather has and will continue to endure countless doctor appointments, chemo treatments, and immunotherapy treatments/therapy. As you can imagine, the medical costs can be astronomical.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to alleviate the financial burden that accompanies her ongoing treatments, medications, and healthcare expenses. These funds will enable Heather to focus solely on her health and well-being, without the added stress of medical bills and financial constraints.
With your generous contribution, we can make a profound difference in her life and aid her in maintaining hope and positivity throughout her journey. Additionally, your support extends beyond financial assistance; it serves as a beacon of hope, reminding Heather that she is not alone in this fight.
From the bottom of our hearts, we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family, and if possible, in giving (any amount will help). Let us create a community of support so strong that Heather feels the collective strength of each and every one of us standing behind her.
With love and gratitude,
Her Aunts and Uncles who love her deeply!
Heather’s Journey and Diagnosis:
Heather began her journey when she became very ill at Christmas in 2022 and was diagnosed in January 2023 with peritoneal sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that doesn't respond to treatment well.
It’s a cancer that affects your peritoneum, the membrane that lines your abdomen and abdominal organs. There isn’t a cure, but surgery, chemotherapy and palliative care can improve your prognosis and quality of life. Peritoneal mesothelioma can’t be cured, but treatment can prolong your life.
Heather started a clinical trial in March 2023 at the Mayo Clinic receiving treatments every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. Now immunotherapy every 3 weeks. She was the 7th person in the trial in the entire United States, with only about 300 actual cases per year in the US of those 10-20% are of the type that Heather has with unknown causes. This extensive chemo treatment helped shrink the tumors to almost half, providing more time on earth than originally expected.
People may think that since you are in a trial you do not need to pay for your treatment. This is not the case, and if a typical cancer patient receives chemo, or this test, or that medication, then your insurance is billed. Same as in a clinical trial. Only specific tests and data were paid by the trial.
Heather continues with immunotherapy treatments every three weeks which has held the cancer at bay.
In July of 2023 Heather received yet another diagnosis of intussusception. This is rare in adults. Intussusception (in-tuh-suh-SEP-shun) is a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine. This telescoping action often blocks food or fluid from passing through. Intussusception also cuts off the blood supply to the part of the intestine that's affected. This can lead to infection, death of bowel tissue or a tear in the bowel, called perforation. Heather will need surgery to correct this condition, without it, the prognosis is dim.