Help Jeanne Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer

Hello, my name is Jenny Lorenzo and I, along with Shannon Tait & Erica Tout, are creating this fundraiser in support of my big sister, Jeanne Lorenzo, in an effort to assist her in her battle against breast cancer.

Diagnosis

On April 20, 2022, Jeanne was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, classified as invasive ductal carcinoma.

She made the difficult choice to undergo bilateral mastectomy surgery in early June, just weeks after the diagnosis. During the surgery, multiple tumors were removed.

Initially diagnosed Stage 1, Jeanne's doctors were shocked during the surgery to find additional cancer cells that were rapidly spreading and which also needed to be removed.

Upon awakening post-surgery, Jeanne was shocked to hear that her cancer Stage had been increased to Stage 2.

The doctors also revealed that 22 lymph nodes were removed. This caused a disability to her left arm, for which she has been in physical therapy since her surgery.

Treatment

In addition to physical therapy, Jeanne has been in chemotherapy since September 2022 and will continue through January 2023. Thereafter, she will have a short break and will then start 12 weeks of radiation.

She is becoming increasingly more sick with each chemotherapy treatment, making it harder and harder to balance being a single mother, paying bills, etc.

The Journey Here

As many of you know, Jeanne has endured a lot of suffering and loss over the last several years, but she is currently fighting the battle of her life against this cancer.

Earlier on in April, prior to being diagnosed, Jeanne was advised by doctors to take a medical leave of absence from work. She was advised that she needed a mental break, as she had been struggling as the result of not properly grieving after the sudden & tragic loss of her boyfriend in April of 2021.

This devastating loss nearly broke Jeanne. She had endured a plethora of other tragic circumstances over the preceding years, including being forced into being a single mother due to the death of her daughter's father in 2018.

Jeanne took the time off from work, as recommended by her doctors. She went into this with a positive outlook (which is just the natural way in which she faces her challenges). She thought she would take the time to heal and then return to work afterward, better than ever.

However, during this much-needed "healing" break, she was given the life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Unfairly, already suffering, her entire world was turned completely upside down...

Exemplification

Jeanne is a dedicated mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Molding me from an early age, my sister taught me almost everything about life. She taught me to tie my shoes, wash the dishes, brush my hair, how to drive, and so much more.

While we lived with both parents, she always wanted to take care of me; she just loved being that sister. Jeanne took on the role of caretaker during our parents’ separation, then divorce and eventually our mothers’ death at age 40. She became my rock - to which I could swim, run or jog safely.

Losing our mother in our very early 20s forced Jeanne to further take on the mother role. While our father was still both of our stronghold, he obviously could not mold me into a woman the way my sister did.

Jeanne adores her friendships, old and new. She would do anything necessary and within her power for her friends and vice versa.

Currently

Jeanne has not been able to return to work since April when her initial leave of absence began. Her employer could not hold her position, as it is unclear when she will be able to work again.

She has been blessed to be able to pay bills and stay afloat to date, which is thanks to receiving a small monthly amount through (temporary) disability from her former employer, help from family & friends and (sadly) depleting her entire life savings. Soon, all of her sources of income will be depleted and/or exhausted.

Understandably, this has all caused a tremendous financial strain on Jeanne. Her already incurred medical expenses and those yet to come, combined with the need for childcare, the costs of rent, bills, gas, vehicle upkeep, everyday living, etc., will make a difficult time even more stressful.

It Takes a Village

The classic saying “It takes a village” has taken on a new meaning to me. As much as I wanted to repay my sister for all she did for me growing up, there is NO way I could do so all by myself.

Jeanne has many amazing people in her life who have already given so much of their time, dedication and companionship in ways that you only usually see in movies! This has been a pure inspiration for Jeanne and has helped to keep her chin up and stay mostly positive through this horror.

I had no idea the amount of expenses that can incur from this illness. Like a lymphedema sleeve for her arm, a special mouthwash and toothpaste, which (along with some of her other medications) are not covered under insurance, Uber & Lyft rides when she is too ill to drive, just to name a few!

In a time where almost everything feels uncertain, it would be a huge blessing for Jeanne if we could give her some piece of mind and one less cause for worry.

Our Goal

This GoFundMe was created to offset some of Jeanne's expenses so that she can focus on her recovery and her 8-year-old daughter, Nicolette, rather than finances, during this time and for the next several months, in which she cannot work.

It’s not going to be easy, and she still has a long road ahead of her, but we’re trying to reduce her worries while she’s fighting this battle.

Please consider donating to alleviate some of the financial stress Jeanne is facing during this incredibly challenging time.

Many thanks!