Help Adrienne Matzen Beat Cancer!

Adrienne is everyone's favorite. Originally from Viola, Kansas, Adrienne moved to England to study acting at the London Academy of the Dramatic Arts. She moved to Chicago, where she began her career as an actor and director, lighting up the stage through the many parts she has played over the last ten years. Whether directing plays, coaching, enjoying a good meal and a glass of wine with friends, watching college basketball at a Chicago dive bar, or DJing a home dance party with a belly full of cheese, you never spend time with Adrienne without making a memory that will last a lifetime.

In July 2021, Adrienne was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. The cancer is on the back, one-third of her tongue and extends down her throat and on her lymph nodes. The standard of care for this type of cancer begins with surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. In Adrienne's case, this means she would lose her tongue, resulting in speech loss and an inability to swallow.

This standard is not ideal for someone as young as Adrienne, who makes her living using her voice or someone for whom good food is central to their quality of life.

So instead, Adrienne's excellent team at Rush University Medical Center is recommending seven weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, with the hope of eliminating the cancer cells and avoiding the surgery altogether.

Adrienne will have to commute one hour, both ways, to receive radiation treatments five days per week for seven weeks to complete the recommended therapy. The treatment will result in painful mucositis, making it difficult to eat or drink, and she may need a feeding tube.

Adrienne has health insurance that will cover most of her treatment plan, but with co-pays, prescription drug costs, supplements, and the cost of car-sharing when she can't catch a ride and isn't feeling up for the long bus ride, the financial burden of this illness is beginning to add up. If Adrienne can't work for a short period, raising funds to help pay bills and rent is also crucial for her peace of mind and allows her to focus her mental energy on healing.

There are so many unknowns in what will be a long road to recovery for Adrienne. That's why her community needs to come together to support her in this time of great need. Worrying about rent payments, cab rides, prescriptions, and all the other costs associated with her care should be the last thing on her mind.

Despite her love of performance and exuberant personality, Adrienne is a very private person, and it took some convincing to let her closest friends start this campaign. We encourage you to give what you can and share this campaign privately with friends over email and text messages.

Adrienne has a strong network of support to help her get through this painful chapter in her life. Your financial support means so much to her and those of us nearest to her. We want to see our beloved Ade fight and beat this cancer, and every dollar donated will help her win the battle. Thank you!