Standing With Renee: Support Through Stage 4 Lymphoma

My name is Renee Brown, and for most of my life I have been someone who pours into others.

For more than 25 years I have owned Renee’s House of Hair in Vacaville, mentored young people, organized community events, taught adult education classes, and worked to create opportunities for others through service and outreach. Supporting people and building community has always been at the heart of who I am.

In August, my life changed unexpectedly when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Since that diagnosis, my days have been filled with tests, procedures, and intensive treatment. I had to undergo a biopsy to determine the type of cancer and have a port surgically placed in my chest so doctors could administer chemotherapy.

My treatment schedule has been intense. Each round includes a 4–5 hour chemotherapy infusion, and two weeks later I am admitted into the hospital for four days of monitored chemotherapy. These treatments have taken a physical toll, but I continue to face each one with faith, determination, and hope.

I am currently completing my sixth round of chemotherapy, and the next step in my journey will be preparing for a stem cell transplant, which will require additional treatment and recovery time.

As an entrepreneur and self-employed business owner, one of the hardest realities of this journey has been that when you cannot work, income stops. While I focus on healing, everyday expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, and treatment-related costs continue.

For many years I have been blessed to be the one organizing support for others — mentoring youth, creating programs, and helping people move toward new possibilities. This season has humbled me, because now I find myself needing support from the community I have spent so much time serving.

This fundraiser is being created to help provide financial stability during treatment and recovery so I can focus on healing and preparing for the next phase of care.

If you feel led to support, every donation — big or small — truly makes a difference. If donating is not possible, sharing this fundraiser is another powerful way to help.

I am deeply grateful for the prayers, encouragement, and love that have already surrounded me during this journey.

Your support means more than I can express.

With gratitude,

Renee