Help Steph Beat Melanoma!

Caring Bridge : updates from Steph herself

Stephanie and Jason have built their lives and careers around caring for others. They are the type of people who won't ask for help even when they need it most, which is why I have started this campaign on their behalf.

Stephanie was diagnosed with stage II melanoma last year. Despite surgical removal (and a negative sentinel node biopsy), her melanoma progressed. She is now stage IV, with a small metastatic lesion in her lungs, and is starting immunotherapy in the hopes of a cure. 

Stephanie is kindest person I know-- she unfailingly sees and assumes the best in everyone. She has overcome more adversity in her 34 years of life than most of us will see in a lifetime. She is dedicated, hardworking, and more than deserving of all the success she has achieved. 

For those of you who don't have the pleasure of knowing Stephanie, I'll provide some background. She is a graduate of Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno and briefly worked as a teacher before returning to school to become a doctor. She completed medical school and family medicine residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM). She graduated from residency in 2016 and has since been working for Renown as a primary care physician in Reno. She and Jason met during medical school and were married in 2013. They were blessed with their beautiful daughter, Ella, on November 10, 2015. Jason is currently a psychiatrty resident at the University of Nevada, Reno. 



As we all know, cancer treatment is incredibly expensive, and life and its associated bills continue despite a cancer diagnosis. Steph will need to take extended leave from work to complete treatment over the next several months. Meanwhile, mortgage payments, childcare costs, student loans, and general living expenses continue unchanged, even though it feels like the world has otherwise turned upside down.

So, I am asking for your help on behalf of this wonderful couple and their curious, energetic, and happy little girl. If you cannot provide a monetary donation, consider assisting with childcare, providing homecooked meals, and offering words of encouragement and support as Steph and Jason fight this battle. Thank you for generosity.