Help for Lily Buchholz-Liebfried

Lily Buchholz-Leibfried is the daughter of Heather Buchholz and Matt Leibfried of Duluth, MN. Lily was just diagnosed at 18 months of age in December with stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a very advanced cancer of the liver, which has spread to her lungs. She has been undergoing cancer treatments since December in Duluth and Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, due to complications and the need for pediatric oncology care.

 

Her treatments have included 3 months of induction chemotherapy and will be traveling soon to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for a specialized pediatric surgical team for a complex resection of the liver tumor, followed by 3-6 additional months of chemotherapy and possible resection of the lung metastases if they do not clear with chemo. Due to the severity of the side effects of chemotherapy (vomiting, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, low blood counts, infection), Lily has been hospitalized more than 90% of the time since her diagnosis in December. Her treatments are expected to span more than a year.


Her mother has had to stop working to be with Lily and her father has continued to work in order to maintain health insurance. He will be taking unpaid family medical leave if Lily’s post-surgery recovery requires lengthy hospitalization. Her 3-year-old sister, Elise, has been her biggest fan and has been spending time between Duluth and Minneapolis. Their family is experiencing financial hardship with medical expenses, living and travel expenses, and the rising need and cost for additional childcare for her big sister.


The love, support and prayers from their support network of family, friends, and community has been greatly appreciated. I am creating this account as a place for people to make monetary donations to support Lily and her family.