Help Debbie's Children After Her Cancer Journey❤️

Update #2: Debbie's funeral service was on Monday, September 23. Thank you to all who attended and honored our sweet Debbie. Now that our angel is no longer in pain, I would like to help her children, Johnny and Ellie, heal as much as possible by trying to keep their lives as stable as possible as they navigate this new life and reality. Funds will be going to a trust for the kids to access as adults. ❤️

Update: It is with a heavy heart that I report that our sweet Debbie lost her battle with cancer. Heaven got one of the best angels yesterday. Family is working on funeral arrangements. I will share more info here when I know more. Thank you all for loving her so much!

A little less than a year ago, my best friend, Debbie Benson (Solo), was diagnosed with advanced stage skin cancer. Debbie had been experiencing severe ear pain and headaches for almost a year and no antibiotics or pain meds seemed to help. She and the doctor thought they were chronic ear infections. Debbie was then referred to an ear specialist in Seattle.

At the end of August 2023, she underwent a biopsy so ear specialists could see what was really going on in her ear and head. Sadly those tests confirmed that she had skin cancer in her right ear and on the right side of her face. The pressure from the tumors was what seemed to be causing her headaches.

The end of September 2023, Debbie bravely underwent another surgery where surgeons attempted to remove as much of the cancer from the right side of her face and ear (inner and outer). This led to Debbie losing a portion of her ear and requiring a skin graft from her upper thigh.

Since recovering from surgery less than a year ago, Debbie has been through a round of chemo, 2 rounds of radiation, and another round of chemo combined with immunotherapy. Unfortunately, this didn't lead to the outcome that she, her children, her family, nor I had hoped for. Her doctor has now recommended Hospice Care.

Sadly, this means that she has not been able to continue her duties as a Special Education teacher at Richland High School during this long battle. I would like to start this GoFundMe for Debbie to help alleviate the financial burden of medical bills and every day expenses as she continues to battle this horrible disease for her children.

Debbie is the sweetest and most loving person I have met in my lifetime. I am so grateful that I have had the honor of being her best friend for over 20 years. She has been through so much already. Please donate if you can. Any amount will help and be greatly appreciated!

If you would like to get in touch with Debbie, please feel free to message me on this page. I can reach out of her sister as well, if necessary.

Donated funds will go towards:

•medical expenses

•household bills-rent, water, electricity, phone, internet, etc.

•food

•the needs of Debbie's children during this time