Help Heather Perez Kick Cancer's Ass!

On August 30, 2021, my best friend Heather was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 35. Triple negative breast cancer is a much more aggressive form for breast cancer that only affects around 10-15 percent of all breast cancer patients, spreading more rapidly and having a higher rate of recurrence than typical breast cancer. While her cancer is still being staged, she believes it's either stage 2 or 3 as the cancer has spread into some of her adjacent lymph nodes.

 

Heather began an aggressive 12-week chemotherapy regime on September 14th to shrink the primary tumor as much as possible before undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries in early 2022. Afterwards, the doctors will assess whether or not she will need more chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. Heather was tested for the BCRA gene, which can cause breast cancer. If her results come back positive, she will eventually have to undergo a hysterectomy to prevent any type of ovarian cancer that may develop from this gene mutation.

 

Heather is an amazing daughter, sister, co-worker and friend, and now we need to show her how much we love and support her! Any funds donated to Heather will go towards her medical expenses not covered by insurance (ex. it costs $710 out of pocket every time she needs a biopsy), loss of income from being out of work, ongoing treatments, medications, therapies, meal plans, and anything she may need on her road to recovery.

 

Even if we haven't met, being connected through Heather means we have one thing in common - it's how our lives are made better by knowing her. While this journey is unexpected, there hasn't been a challenge that Heather hasn't been able to conquer. Heather is a badass and I have no doubt that she will kick cancer's ass! Together, let's help her fight the good fight and show her what an amazing human she is!

 

With love,

Team Heather