Hi, I assume that most people reading this either know Paige or have some connection to our friends and family. But for any generous strangers out there searching for someone to donate to, or for those in our network looking for a recap, here it is: my sister’s name is Paige Healy, and she recently found out that she has breast cancer.

This is NOT how our Thanksgiving was supposed to start off. Where Paige lives in Maui, she spends time in the ocean, practicing surfing and free diving, hiking through the pine forest of Olinda with her three dogs and watching sunsets over Polipoli. Two days before getting on the plane to head back to our hometown of Richmond, VA for Thanksgiving, she found a lump in her breast. What’s strange is, she had recently been to the OBGYN in Maui, received a professional breast exam, and gotten a clean bill of health, so she wasn’t too worried; but to be safe, she made another appointment back in Richmond just to be sure.

As soon as the doctor in Richmond started the exam, he was concerned. He took a biopsy and got the preliminary results right there: Cancer. Over the last few days, she’s had another biopsy, an MRI, mammogram, and met with her new Oncologist. All of those tests confirm that she has stage II HER2-positive breast cancer (cancer was also found in one of her lymph nodes).

Her treatment plan now includes at least 12 months of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and an avalanche of prescription medication. Paige is lucky and has health insurance that covers some of her medical expenses, but so many other costs aren’t covered. Things like IV infusions to mitigate the effects of chemo, cold caps and special gloves to prevent hair loss or loss of feeling due to the drugs, fertility treatments to preserve her ability to start a family and the cost of transporting or boarding her enormous Great Danes while in treatment. These things alone add up to tens of thousands of dollars, but there will also be countless unknown expenses that are sure to come.

Paige is a fighter, and this will definitely not take her out, but we would also hate for it to derail her financial future. She has her family and friends in her corner, and if you are looking for a way to show your support, please feel free to contribute to this fundraiser in her name. Thanks for taking the time to read this; we’ll keep you updated with Paige’s progress on this GoFundMe page.

*** PS: One good thing about this is that she will likely be back in Richmond with the rest of the family and me for the next 9-12 months. We like that because it means spending more time with Paige– for you, it also means that her house in Maui will be unoccupied. When I told Paige that I was starting this GoFundMe, she said she’d like to give back to those who are giving towards her treatment costs. If you are giving an amount over $1,500, Paige will reach out to you, and you’ll have the opportunity to set up a stay for a couple of nights at her place in Maui.