Help Beth Nielsen Fight Cancer

In mid-April, our friend and neighbor, Beth was diagnosed with Primary Cutaneous Gamma/Delta T-Cell Lymphoma (GD-TCL), a rare and aggressive form of cancer for which there is no established treatment protocol. There have only been 40 documented cases of this disease in the United States. While the diagnosis is considered terminal, her doctors are hopeful that an intensive treatment plan will extend her life. 

Beth started her first round of chemotherapy on April 14, 2021. As of the date of this posting, Beth has completed her third round of chemo, and if all goes to plan Beth will have a hematopoietic stem cell transplant in early July. Beth has experienced numerous complications with her chemotherapy thus far, resulting in multiple ER visits and hospital stays due to blood infections, body aches, and high fevers. 

Beth is a helper and a caregiver. She is a fiercely devoted mama bear to her three daughters (Sara, Tina, and Rachel), and a loving wife to her husband (Rick). She has also been known to show devotion to her father, Robert Visscher, and her siblings, Steve and Linn Visscher. Her nurturing spirit overflows the family bounds, and she has the uncanny knack to “be there” for others when they need someone in their corner. Beth has taught for 21 years, 19 of them at Fort Zumwalt West High. She is a respected mentor and Spanish teacher, who has touched the lives of many students, faculty, and families in the community. She has expanded the experience of so many by sharing her knowledge and love of the Spanish language, taking groups of students to Europe, working at student sporting events, and actively following the teachings of Christ. Beth has been a part of the Castle Park community in Michigan for many years and is a proud Hope College Alum. 

While Beth has health insurance, it will not cover all of the medical and other expenses generated by her illness. She is on disability leave from work until she’s completed a successful treatment. Her husband, Rick, has taken some time off work to be with her. As you can imagine, it is impossible for him to work every day. It is our hope we can ease the financial stress so they can focus on successful treatment with as little outside concern as possible. 

Beth needs our help now and this is an opportunity to support her as she has supported so many of us over the years. She has never has been one to ask for help, but we know she deserves it and we have convinced her to move forward with this fundraiser. We believe with everyone's help, we can achieve our goal of decreasing their financial burden and ease the stress, shock, and fear that her family is currently experiencing.

No donation is too small, but if you cannot financially contribute and would still like to help, please feel free to do any of the following. 

• Share this page far and wide: with friends, family, on social media
• Send prayers or good vibes! 
• Send a card with encouraging words (7228 Gadwall Way O’Fallon, MO. 63368)

We are not sure what the total costs will be but numbers are already adding up quickly. Emergency room visits, additional medications, hospital stays, and treatment, along with mortgage payments, bills, and other living expenses have never been higher for the family. Beth’s daughters and other family members have and will continue to contribute as best as they can.

THANK YOU

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any action of support. We appreciate you showing Beth that she is loved and not alone in this difficult journey.