Help Pip Beat Cancer

My name is Hillary, and I'm raising funds to help with the costs of treating Pip's lymphoma.

Pip is my silken windhound who was diagnosed with lymphoma in November 2021, just a few months shy of her third birthday. She is the youngest silken ever recorded with cancer of any kind. Before her diagnosis, she was my do-everything dog: she loved to train in all manner of things, from running sports to agility. She was always up for anything, whether that be an adventure to the beach or a day on the couch.

Since she was diagnosed, we have been able to pursue the gold standard of treatment for lymphoma, the chemotherapy protocol known as CHOP, with the help of Pip's pet insurance. Unfortunately, chemo is almost never fully curative in dogs--in all likelihood, it would buy us another year of time with her, but the cancer would inevitably come back. Eventually the drugs would no longer be effective, and then we would have to say goodbye.

I could not stomach the thought of losing my best friend before her fourth birthday. I searched for more options, and discovered bone marrow transplant. BMT is currently the only possible cure for canine lymphoma. We were put in contact with the BMT team at North Carolina State University, one of only two clinics in the country who can perform canine BMT. Pip, with her young age and relative health, was a perfect candidate. We are also very fortunate that one of Pip's brothers is a match. He and his people offered to be a hero for Pip, and donate the cells that will vastly increase her chances of beating the cancer once and for all. Since it is so rare to find a sibling donor in dogs, Pip will also be able to contribute to the canine cancer research being performed at NCSU.

While the bulk of this very costly procedure will be covered by Pip's insurance, we will be driving across the country from San Diego, California to Raleigh, North Carolina. We will need to stay away from home for possibly up to two months for the procedure, recovery time, and any necessary follow up, with minimal existing support. Along with the already-existing costs associated with her medical treatment, these logistical concerns are adding up. Now we turn to our friends and community to hopefully help us offset the costs.

While Pip will receive treatment no matter what, any assistance for us will be very much appreciated. Any excess funds will be split between the Perseus Foundation, which contributes to canine cancer research, and the health committee of the International Silken Windhound Society, to support health initiatives for the breed. Thank you for reading our story, and for considering a donation.