In March of 2020, Cassandra Swanson Bell was diagnosed with stage 1 vulvar cancer. For the past twenty months she has battled through aggressive treatments that includes 6 surgeries, 6 treatments of chemo, 5 weeks of external radiation, 2 rounds of internal radiation, and 1 week of twice daily external radiation between the two internal radiation treatments.

Through all of this aggressive treatment, Cassi lost her hair, weakened her body, and had to fight to maintain as much of a normal life as she could for her kids and those she loves. Because that is who she is! Never wanting to burden anyone with her struggles but always keeping us informed of her fight, Cassi has allowed us to witness first hand the strength this woman has to resist the cancer that is attacking her body.

Cassi has two beautiful children in her life who have made sacrifices of their own to help the mother they love and cherish.

Emma is in junior high and her passion to help her mom feel and look normal throughout this ever changing process is evident in the way she helped her mom style her wigs or put on makeup that includes something as simple as giving Cassi eyebrows where she had none from the affects of chemo. And, of course, all the love, hugs, and sass she learned from her mom.

Logan is a nineteen year old culinary student who chose to move back to Aberdeen to help his mom battle cancer. A nineteen year old who had to grow up quickly and knew his place was at home with his mom and sister. His choice meant knowing that he was putting his own dreams on hold for the moment but his devotion to his mom and family were never more needed than they are today.

In the past, Cassi has kept us informed as she struggled through treatments, results good and bad, all the while always staying positive and strong throughout this illness. She has pushed through countless 400 mile round trip doctor visits to Sioux Falls sacrificing time away from her kids that she adores with every ounce of her being and time away from her profession as a long term care nurse that has always been her passion. She is #cassistrong after all!

Here is where we ask for help for Cassi and her family. The cancer has, once again, reared it’s ugly head and is wreaking havoc on Cassi's life. The doctors in Sioux Falls have now classified her cancer as radioresistant and are recommending radical life altering surgery to treat this cancer. It was recommended to Cassi by her medical team that she expand beyond Sioux Falls and pursue further treatment at Mayo in Rochester, MN. That is 725 mile round trip that will require all the expenses of travel including hotel, food, gas, etc.

Never has anyone needed our help more than this. We are asking that you consider easing some of the financial burden and donate to the 'go fund me' account to allow Cassi to focus more on her health so she can make decisions for herself and her family with less anxiety on the cost and expenses of her cancer treatments.

Thank you to everyone who can step in and help!

Heather Heier-Crady

Darren Dohman

Kellie Grosz