Help Shannan Sykes-Billingsley Fight Cancer

Hi, my name is Karri Keller and I’m doing this GoFundMe for one of my very best and oldest friends, Shannan Sykes-Billingsley. Our friendship goes back to when we were 4 years old and our back fences touched – there was some football catch and throw happening on one side of the fence and passing the soccer ball around going on the other side of the fence…I’m pretty sure one ball or the other flew over to either side of our fences and we said hi! That is how our friendship started and I can honestly say neither of us has ever looked back.

Fast forward 48 years to 2021…

At 52 years young, my Shannan was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her diagnosis in April, she acquired a cancer care team that quickly assembled her cancer treatment plan to fight this terrible disease. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment every 3 weeks and at the end of September, she’s having a double mastectomy. Shannan has to start a second phase of treatment a few weeks after the surgery which will include radiation therapy and more chemo treatments, lasting through May 2022.

This is the good news: The Billingsley's are a strong family unit! Shannan’s boys, Jake and Max, have stepped up to help their mama while she is sick. Her husband, Scott, continues to work full time + pick up extra shifts. He is doing a super job running their household, that has always been Shannan’s priority! All this said, Shannan is still working at her job when she feels okay but she’s had to drastically cut back her work hours – and luckily her employer is giving her support and all the time off she needs to fight through her cancer journey!

Here is where we all come in: The Billingsley’s could use our monetary support to help with medical bills, household bills, Shannan’s lost income from work, and all of the many other things that will help their household which has always been a two income family! 

Also, an important note to their friends, family and community: Thank you so very much for your immediate love and support…in the ways of prayers, meal trains, house chores, phone calls, or just a simple card dropped in the mail – I speak for their family when I say they are humbled, grateful, and amazed by the outpouring of love and help to them! 

Lastly, it goes without saying that this has not been an easy journey for Shannan. She is looking forward to winning this fight and being herself again. I appreciate and thank you for taking the time to read this story about my best friend.