On October 14th, Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer. On November 13th, she underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. The surgery was successful, and her lymph nodes were clear. While this was a huge relief, the biology of the cancer cells was found to be aggressive. Even though Emily is considered Stage 1A, her doctors strongly recommend chemotherapy — not because the cancer has spread, but to eliminate any microscopic cancer cells that could still be circulating in her body.

Chemotherapy comes with many challenges, and one of the most visible and emotional side effects is hair loss. To help preserve her hair, we are choosing to use a treatment called cold capping. This involves wearing a specialized cooling cap before, during, and after each chemotherapy session to reduce blood flow to the hair follicles, limiting how much chemotherapy reaches them.

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover cold capping because it is considered elective. This means we are responsible for the full cost out of pocket. There is a large upfront fee to use the cold cap system, followed by ongoing weekly costs for the necessary supplies throughout treatment.

In addition to this, we are facing mounting medical bills, medication costs, and travel expenses for Emily’s frequent chemotherapy appointments. These costs add up quickly, and the financial strain is real.

Cancer takes so much from a person — physically, emotionally, and financially. We are determined to do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t take her hair too.

Any donation, no matter the size, would mean the world to us and help ease the burden during this difficult time.