
Help Nunu Fight Cancer: Support Needed
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Animal Lovers,
My name is Jessica and I am starting a fundraiser for my dog, Nanuke (Nunu), a 6-year-old Siberian husky. Unfortunately, in June we found out some devastating news; Nunu was diagnosed with a cancerous mast cell tumor on her nose. Due to the location of the tumor, the treatment options are very limited. Her cancer has been acting aggressively while we've been waiting to be seen by specialists and waiting on test results. Her tumor has grown from the size of a pencil eraser head to the size of a golf ball in only 4 months. Within the last 2 weeks, the tumor has gotten so large that it is invading her nasal cavity, making it hard for her to breathe from her right nostril. Thankfully, her cancer staging scans came back mostly clear, meaning the cancer has not spread to any other parts of her body (like the liver, spleen, or bones) yet. It has possibly spread to her lymph nodes in her jaw.
After speaking to multiple Oncologists, we have decided that the best treatment option to extend Nunu's quality of life goes as follows: 5 rounds of radiation therapy targeted at her nose to try to shrink the tumor & at her lymph nodes in her jaw to try to kill the cancer cells that have spread there. Then, chemotherapy medication every other day for the foreseeable future to hopefully prevent the tumor from growing back & spreading for as long as possible.
Of course, we would never want to attempt to put her through all of this if it wasn't going to be worth the fight. Nunu has been put on quite a few medications including a steroid, which she is tolerating well. Her energy level remains good & she continues to act like her sweet, happy self. We are optimistic that we caught the cancer in time & the doctors believe with this treatment that we could have 1-5 more quality years with her. Without treatment, her life expectancy is only 2-6 months. Our Oncologist told us that, although there isn't much data, this treatment plan has a 75% success rate & that dogs don't typically get side effects from chemotherapy like humans do.
Nunu is more than just a pet to us. We have two other huskies, and she is part of the pack. She is a cherished member of our family, bringing us joy, comfort, and unconditional love. The thought of losing her at such a young age is unbearable. The harsh reality is that this situation has caused a significant financial burden for our family. We have already spent nearly $5,000 on vet bills in the last two and a half months. The cost for these initial and continued treatments is upwards of $10,000. The radiation treatments are $6,000 and the chemotherapy is $500 a month, along with numerous other costs associated with weekly & monthly checkups, & scans/blood work every 3 months. This is directly where the funds will go. If you are financially able, & have it in your heart to donate to Nunu's medical fund, our family would be forever grateful. Any contribution, no matter how small will help us so much in this unforeseen journey.
Organizer and beneficiary

Jessica Keefe
Organizer
Hugo, MN
Andrew Keefe
Beneficiary