Help the Foley Family Build a Healing Space

This is the Foley Family - Pat, Angie, Una (9) and Oisin (6.5) - but since you're looking at this page, you probably already knew that. You don't have to know them well in order to see where their priorities lie: their strong commitment to each other, their family & friends, service to the community, and their faith. These are simply good people.

This story centers around Angie, but as we already know, anything that impacts one member of a tight-knit family will impact the others. Angie was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 2a; estrogen and HER2 positive). Since her diagnosis was established just a few short weeks ago, things have escalated quickly. While the details on Angie's treatment are currently being fleshed out, we do know that she will require chemotherapy and surgery. At this point, it is estimated that Angie will require active treatment for 9-12 months, followed by oral chemotherapy for 4-5 years. Chemo will be starting quite soon - we are talking within the next few weeks. Again, things have escalated quickly, leaving little room for emotional processing, as time is of the essence.

To say news of this nature/gravity/severity turns your world upside down is probably the understatement of the century. It changes everything. It changes how you perceive your world, how you choose to spend your time, how you interact with others, and what is classified as a 'priority'. It forces you to ask & answer the question 'What is actually important to me?'. For Angie, the answer to this question is quite simple: quality time with family & friends.

In this type of scenario, there are so many decisions that feel they are made for you. When a highly experienced & knowledgeable physician explains testing results and gives you treatment recommendations, those plans are largely set in stone. Not a ton of room for negotiations. If you know Angie, you know that she is extraordinary in many ways, but one of her many talents is finding the light in the darkness. Her ability to emotionally navigate a terrible situation and forge a path of positivity & hope goes beyond what most people are capable of.

How does one take back emotional control when given a breast cancer diagnosis? For Angie and family, it's about creating a home environment that supports and builds connections to their village & community. Once Angie starts treatment, she will be seriously immuno-compromised. Receiving a cancer diagnosis in and of itself creates feelings of isolation, but being immuno-compromised has the potential to create restrictions that will physically isolate her from her support system. This is precisely what they are attempting to avoid, and Angie's emotional well-being will have a significant impact on the trajectory of her treatment & recovery.

So, what is the plan? How does one protect themselves while receiving aggressive cancer treatment but prevent isolation from their loved ones? Again, for Angie & family, the answer is simple: a backyard patio. They would like to build/create a backyard sanctuary where they can safely welcome family and friends. Angie would like a comfortable space where she can heal while watching her children laugh & play outside. A space where they can create beautiful memories during a dark time. They would like a place where they can take emotional breaks from the harsh reality that has unforgivingly been forced upon them.

They acknowledge that this may seem like an unconventional priority after getting a serious, life-threatening diagnosis. When one receives a diagnosis of this nature, priorities are reevaluated & shift. Time changes to something that is finite, and you feel it is a crime to squander it. And as a result, dreams & emotional comforts jump to the top of the list. Any donations that can contribute to this very important project are greatly appreciated.

Written on behalf of the Foley family village