Help Molly Smash Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Andrew and we are raising money to help my sister-in-law Molly and my brother Matthew pay for expenses related to Molly's aggressive cancer treatment.
After over a year of trying to start a family, Molly and Matthew began IVF treatment in December of 2021 and it was successful! They were expecting their first child, a baby girl, and were as thrilled as any new parent-to-be. In March, Molly received a call from her OB/GYN informing her of abnormalities with her prenatal bloodwork and that she would need more blood tests. After the additional testing and meeting with a hematologist at South County Hospital, the doctor informed them that Molly has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer usually occurring in children.
Because Molly was pregnant, they met with a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital to discuss the options for the pregnancy and the cancer treatment. The result was heartbreaking. The doctors determined that due to the aggressive nature of the treatment that would be required to save her life, Molly would not be able to continue with the pregnancy. Molly and Matthew had to put their plans of starting a family on hold and put their faith in their doctors in hopes of saving Molly's life.
There is no time to delay with such a serious and aggressive cancer. Molly was quickly admitted into the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for a month-long stay of intense Chemotherapy. She required spinal taps, bone marrow biopsies, more blood tests than any of us would want to think about, and daily chemo treatment. She was determined to fight but even the strongest are still weakened and tested mentally and physically. All of the things that you hear about happened, Molly lost her hair, was unable to eat and sleep, and let's face it, she felt horrible. And all the while my brother had to watch the love of his life fight for her own.
Molly had to leave the job she loved working at the Portsmouth Veterinary Clinic. Matthew is a decorated and well-respected detective with the Newport Police Department and he is working his tail off to try to support both of them but it isn't easy. Molly's treatment is projected to last 2-years and she won't be able to work. The loss of Molly's income is putting a financial strain on an already unthinkable situation.
They are going to have many expenses associated with treating a life-threatening illness:
- Medication and procedures that are not covered by their insurance
- At-home medical assistance and adaptations to accommodate new needs that Molly will have
- Constant travel to Boston and back
- Long-term physical therapy
- Specialized diet requirements and supplements to help her body heal
Molly has completed her intense 1-month treatment and was discharged temporarily. After being home for a few days, she experienced more complications and she had to go back to Dana Farber for another week unexpectedly. They both now face 2-years of ongoing treatment and Molly will have many more in-patient visits forcing her to leave home for days or a week while she undergoes treatments that will hopefully help her achieve and maintain that coveted state that all cancer patients hope for; REMISSION!
Thank you for reading their story and I hope you'll join us in helping transform the woman in the hospital bed back into the healthy, strong woman that she deserves to be.
Below you'll find some photos of what life is and was like for Molly and Matthew.
Molly is with two of their three dogs which she utterly adores! Even on a warm day, after her treatments, her body has trouble regulating temperature.
A couple of photos from what normal life used to look like, enjoying a bike ride and a beautiful sunset.
A wedding toast from my youngest brother Daniel to Matthew (left) and Molly (right) to celebrate the start of their life together. We never know what the future holds for any of us.
Their wedding brought two families together in one beautiful event on a wonderful day.
After over a year of trying to start a family, Molly and Matthew began IVF treatment in December of 2021 and it was successful! They were expecting their first child, a baby girl, and were as thrilled as any new parent-to-be. In March, Molly received a call from her OB/GYN informing her of abnormalities with her prenatal bloodwork and that she would need more blood tests. After the additional testing and meeting with a hematologist at South County Hospital, the doctor informed them that Molly has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer usually occurring in children.
Because Molly was pregnant, they met with a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital to discuss the options for the pregnancy and the cancer treatment. The result was heartbreaking. The doctors determined that due to the aggressive nature of the treatment that would be required to save her life, Molly would not be able to continue with the pregnancy. Molly and Matthew had to put their plans of starting a family on hold and put their faith in their doctors in hopes of saving Molly's life.
There is no time to delay with such a serious and aggressive cancer. Molly was quickly admitted into the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for a month-long stay of intense Chemotherapy. She required spinal taps, bone marrow biopsies, more blood tests than any of us would want to think about, and daily chemo treatment. She was determined to fight but even the strongest are still weakened and tested mentally and physically. All of the things that you hear about happened, Molly lost her hair, was unable to eat and sleep, and let's face it, she felt horrible. And all the while my brother had to watch the love of his life fight for her own.
Molly had to leave the job she loved working at the Portsmouth Veterinary Clinic. Matthew is a decorated and well-respected detective with the Newport Police Department and he is working his tail off to try to support both of them but it isn't easy. Molly's treatment is projected to last 2-years and she won't be able to work. The loss of Molly's income is putting a financial strain on an already unthinkable situation.
They are going to have many expenses associated with treating a life-threatening illness:
- Medication and procedures that are not covered by their insurance
- At-home medical assistance and adaptations to accommodate new needs that Molly will have
- Constant travel to Boston and back
- Long-term physical therapy
- Specialized diet requirements and supplements to help her body heal
Molly has completed her intense 1-month treatment and was discharged temporarily. After being home for a few days, she experienced more complications and she had to go back to Dana Farber for another week unexpectedly. They both now face 2-years of ongoing treatment and Molly will have many more in-patient visits forcing her to leave home for days or a week while she undergoes treatments that will hopefully help her achieve and maintain that coveted state that all cancer patients hope for; REMISSION!
Thank you for reading their story and I hope you'll join us in helping transform the woman in the hospital bed back into the healthy, strong woman that she deserves to be.
Below you'll find some photos of what life is and was like for Molly and Matthew.
Molly is with two of their three dogs which she utterly adores! Even on a warm day, after her treatments, her body has trouble regulating temperature.
A couple of photos from what normal life used to look like, enjoying a bike ride and a beautiful sunset.
A wedding toast from my youngest brother Daniel to Matthew (left) and Molly (right) to celebrate the start of their life together. We never know what the future holds for any of us.
Their wedding brought two families together in one beautiful event on a wonderful day.
Last but most certainly not least, Molly and her sisters Maggy (left) and Mary (right) have been supportive throughout this unexpected life-challenge.
Co-organizers (3)
Andrew Sardinha
Organizer
Tiverton, RI
Matthew Sardinha
Beneficiary
Margo Pires
Co-organizer