Help Kim Fight Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Hi, my name is Allie and I am fundraising for my mom Kim Valentine. In July of 2020 my mom was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, breast cancer. She quickly started chemotherapy which was followed by a lumpectomy. She then started radiation which was followed by more chemotherapy. She finished her last round of the second chemotherapy in September of 2021. Not even 3 months later, right as we started to feel as though she was in the clear, she was told her breast cancer had metastasized to her brain as well as her lungs. At this time she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer with around 20 tumors total in her body. Days after receiving this news she was scheduled for brain surgery to remove the two biggest tumors that were causing extreme swelling. Although the surgery was a success, she still has significant cognitive and motor deficits and an incredibly long journey ahead of her. In hopes to avoid more deficits she opted to enter into a clinical trail of radiation that will more directly target the remaining brain tumors while hopefully sparing the rest of her brain from the horrible side effects of radiation. Once she has completed radiation to the brain she will begin chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by more radiation to treat the lung tumors.

My brother Andrew and I are her main supporters and motivation to keep fighting. It breaks my heart to see my mom go through all of this. But she is the strongest and bravest person I know and I know she will fight this with all her might. The last thing I want her to be worrying about is money while she is unable to work and that is why I decided to start this campaign. The money we raise will be used to pay for travel expenses to and from Dana Farber in Boston, medical co-pays, groceries and other necessities. Anything you feel comfortable donating is more than appreciated! The outpouring of love and support from those in her life keep her strong despite this life changing diagnosis.