In the midst of a turbulent year, my friend Carly Wegren was diagnosed with cancer. After noticing a lump that had grown significantly larger in the past year or two, Carly went into her primary care doctor to make sure nothing was amiss. Thinking it was just scar tissue, the first surgeon Carly was referred to performed surgery in early December 2020 to remove it. Unfortunately, the doctor realized it was more severe than he had assumed after reviewing her biopsy results. Carly was then diagnosed with sarcoma cancer right before her first Christmas in California, far from her family in Chicago.
 
Carly's diagnosis, DFSP, is a rare type of skin cancer that affects one in a million people each year. This rarity makes the diagnosis, treatment and care much scarier. With hardly any post-surgery care research, there is much unknown about life with DFSP and its likelihood to grow back. This month, February 9th, 2021, she undergoes a second round of surgery at UCSF to attempt to remove the remaining cancerous mass. The doctors don't yet know if she will need more treatment--it depends on if the cancer has rooted itself in her muscle or bone.

A little bit about Carly, for those who don't know her: Carly graduated from CU Boulder last May and moved to northern California to pursue a career in sales. She is passionate about cycling, networking and taking in the California sunshine. Those that know Carly know that she is warmly welcoming, a real go-getter, and someone who stands firmly for what she believes in. She is 23 years old yet handling this all with wisdom and courage. I'm proud to call her a friend and can't imagine how tough this must be for her as a young adult with her support system thousands of miles away.

The cost of treatment--doctor visits, surgery, possible chemo, MRI and CT scans--is expensive, especially on top of student loans, monthly rent, bills, and the inability to work for many weeks following surgery. Insurance is fortunately covering a majority of the costs, but with the uncertainty that cancer and COVID brings to life, we are graciously asking you to please consider donating to help cover the cost of the rest of Carly's treatment. 

We understand this has been a difficult year for everyone, so if you’re unable to donate, we ask that you please keep Carly in your thoughts and prayers and share this page with your friends and family. Thank you!