Update 3/16/2026

Hi everyone,

We wanted to share a quick update on Sarah's fight.

After completing her first round of R-ICE chemotherapy, Sarah was readmitted to the hospital with worsening symptoms — shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, extreme fatigue, and nausea. A new CT scan revealed the mass in her chest has grown to 9 x 15 cm despite chemotherapy, and is pressing on her heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. A blood clot was also identified in her lung.

The cancer has proven resistant to chemotherapy, and the team is now focused on stabilizing her quickly with targeted radiation, high-dose steroids, and blood thinners.

Once stable, the plan is to move to immunotherapy as a bridge to CAR-T cell therapy — which remains our greatest source of hope. CAR-T will reprogram Sarah's own immune cells to fight the cancer from within. We are also pursuing second opinion consultations at MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, and Duke, and the pathology team is re-examining her tumor's biology to guide next steps.

This has been the hardest stretch of our journey so far, but Sarah is fighting and we are not giving up. Every prayer, donation, and word of encouragement carries us further than you know.

Thank you for standing with us.

— Heath & Sarah

Our Story (short version)

• Early 2025: Sarah completed 75 Hard and was in great shape. We found out we were expecting in mid-March.

• First trimester: Two blood screens showed low fetal fraction and flagged risks, but all ultrasounds were reassuring, so we continued routine care.

• Late May–July: After a trip to Greece, Sarah got very sick (rhinovirus). Her OB started an antibiotic first, then a short steroid course when there wasn’t much improvement. At a recheck the Monday before July 23, her OB said, “You shouldn’t be feeling this way,” and referred her to Pulmonology for July 28—but Dr. Surka moved it up to July 23.

• Hospital discovery: Imaging showed massive fluid around her lungs/heart and a ~6-inch mediastinal mass. Over the stay, ~5 liters of fluid were drained. She developed a neck DVT (blood clot) and started twice-daily abdominal anticoagulation.

• Diagnosis & treatment: On Aug 1 (24 wks) we got the diagnosis: B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemo began immediately (first of six planned rounds).

• Readmission: Post-chemo, Sarah was readmitted for neutropenia and needed oxygen for several days. She met the goal of O₂ >95% and was discharged Aug 10.

• Today: At 25 weeks, Sarah’s symptoms have significantly improved. Our shared goal with the care team is to reach at least 30 weeks—longer if safe—while completing inpatient 5-day chemo cycles with close monitoring of mom and baby.

How Your Support Helps

Your gift goes directly toward expenses not fully covered by insurance, including:

• Inpatient chemo cycles and infusion-related costs

• Specialist copays, Maternal-Fetal Medicine monitoring, and frequent labs/imaging

• Anticoagulation injections and other medications

• Hospital logistics: parking, meals, and travel during long stays

• Income gaps from time away from work so we can prioritize Sarah and the baby

We’ll post updates after each treatment and milestone so you can see exactly how your support is helping.

Our Care Team & Family

The Prisma teams—Maternal-Fetal Medicine, OB, Oncology, Pulmonology, and Neonatology—have been second to none, constantly communicating and carefully planning each step. They’ve treated us like souls, not just patients—we even had doctors pray over us.

To our parents: your emotional support, daily logistics, and steady guidance have carried us. There aren’t words big enough for our gratitude.

Ways to Help (besides donating)

• Share this GoFundMe link with a short note

• Send a message, meal, or gift card for hospital days

• Keep Sarah, the baby, and the care team in your prayers

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for standing with us in this fight. Sarah is a warrior, our baby boy is being watched closely, and your support is helping us push toward a healthy delivery and full recovery.

— Heath & Sarah