Help Kelley Get Care At Home

Gillian Smith is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Samantha Cole.

Donation protected

Hi everyone -

My sister, Kelley, was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma brain tumor 11 years ago, when she was just 39 and overseeing a research project in American Samoa for Brown University. At the time, she was medically evacuated to New Zealand, where she underwent her first brain surgery and radiation treatment, and returned to Rhode Island where she's been living since.

She's had eleven amazing years with her wife Sam and their daughter Carson (now 17), and despite a total of three brain surgeries, multiple rounds of radiation and chemo, she managed to work full-time and live an amazing life until the last several weeks. The tumor has unfortunately continued to grow (also in a different part of her brain) despite a more aggressive chemo, and we are now in a new - and near final - chapter of her incredible life. Those of you that know Kelley know just how generous and caring she is. She is deeply passionate and has always advocated for others - in particular those that have been historically marginalized. From her job to her personal life, she strives to make the world a better place, and has always made everyone feel welcome and kept us laughing and engaged with her vast knowledge and sharp wit.

Kelley, Sam and Carson in October 2010, just weeks after her first brain surgery (before her first round of radiation) in New Zealand at the top of One Tree Hill.

As we enter this new phase of the disease, Kelley's mobility has declined quite rapidly to the point where she can't walk or be home alone. Sam has set up a hospital bed in their living room since Kelley can't use stairs anymore. Kelley is not technically a hospice patient because her oncologist believes that the immunotherapy she is receiving (Avastin) is slowing the growth of the tumor. In the current scenario where more time is the goal, we want her to be able to continue this treatment. Because she is not a hospice patient, Kelley does not qualify for the benefits that would come with a hospice designation. Therefore, there are no mechanisms in place to help the family pay for home health care needs (referred to as "private duty") such as a CNA to help care for Kelley when Sam is at work and Carson is at school. CNAs and other home health aids are difficult to get right now because of COVID, and the cost is roughly $35 per hour. As you can imagine that adds up quickly. We're hoping that through the generosity of friends and extended family, we can help out Kelley, Sam and Carson by ensuring that Kell is able to get the care she needs at home and be as comfortable as possible during the next few weeks and months ahead that are already becoming quite challenging.

As thrifty and humble New Englanders, we feel awkward asking for support, but so many wonderful people have asked how they can help. This is how! Thank you for all of your love, support, prayers, and positive thoughts. We all appreciate it and are deeply, deeply grateful for the incredible extended network of friends and family that Kelley has!

The first picture below is from a family trip with my family, Kell's family, and our parents in the fall of 2009 - one year before we knew that Kelley was living with a brain tumor.