I’m writing this on behalf of my dear friend Andrea, who is facing an incredibly difficult reality once again.

After experiencing chest pain and undergoing multiple tests and procedures, Andrea learned that her breast cancer has returned and has spread to her lungs and chest wall. While there is no curative treatment at this stage, there are effective therapies available that can manage the disease and allow people to live with cancer for many years.

Andrea will be starting treatment shortly, beginning with hormone therapy, with chemotherapy planned later if needed. The goal right now is disease management, tumor reduction, and maintaining quality of life.

There has also been some good news: Andrea’s abdomen/pelvic CT, brain CT, and bone scan all came back clear.

In the meantime, Andrea has been dealing with significant fluid buildup in her lungs, requiring multiple thoracentesis procedures to drain the fluid, with another scheduled soon. Once her new medication begins to work, the hope is that this fluid will stop accumulating. If not, she may need an additional procedure called a talc pleurodesis.

As if the medical challenges weren’t enough, Andrea has also encountered unexpected financial stress. Her insurance provider recently changed the coverage amount for a critical medication, and the pharmaceutical company will not cover the remaining balance. The Sentia Patient Support Program is currently working to find a solution, but there are still gaps and uncertainty.

Andrea is facing all of this with courage, honesty, and determination. This is not a fight she ever wanted to face again, but she is not giving up and neither should we. There is still so much life she wants to live, and so many concerts she plans to attend. Andrea is special and cherished by all who are lucky to call her friend. Her love of music, her dedication to family and friends, and her brilliant sense of humor are the obvious reasons why she is so loved...but on a deeper level we have our special, cherished memories and inside jokes that give us reason to stand up and support her and love her knowing she would do the same, likely more, for us.

This fundraiser is to help support Andrea with treatment-related costs, medications, procedures, and the financial strain that comes with ongoing care. Any support, whether through a donation, sharing this page, or simply keeping Andrea in your thoughts is deeply appreciated.

Funds raised will be used to help cover the cost of essential medications and to support day-to-day living expenses while Andrea focuses on treatment and healing. Time away from work for medical appointments, procedures, and recovery will impact household income, and this support will help ease that financial strain so Andrea and her family can concentrate on her health.

Thank you for standing with Andrea and for surrounding her with so much love and support.

“I’m still dancing with destiny

I’m gonna put up a fight when they say come to the light”

— Sam Roberts