Hi Family and Friends,

We are raising funds to support Vanessa Hodges, a 20-year-old Penn State Scranton Tri-Athlete entering her junior year. She’s been doing karate for almost 15 years, loves music and the outdoors, and she’s a very hard worker. Her pride and joy is being a mother. Unfortunately, she is about to embark on a journey she would rather not take as she gets ready to begin treatment for Stage II Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

She has spent her summer of 2025 working very hard as a roofer before school starts back up, in between battling numerous painful symptoms that led her to have many hospital and doctor appointments, procedures, tests, and a surgery that led to her devastating news and cancer diagnosis. Now, as Vanessa is entering her junior year of college, she is preparing for what comes next: months of chemotherapy, radiation, fertility loss, and a long road ahead of her.

Before she starts chemo, which they want to start right away, Vanessa has a single chance to preserve her future and access fertility treatment. It was recommended to undergo egg freezing for future in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in hopes of preserving that possibility for the future.

Unfortunately, Vanessa’s timeframe to preserve her future, due to the need to start chemo, is very short and it is not covered by her insurance at all. With medications, procedures, storage, and future IVF, it can get extremely costly and could easily be over $25,000. Without immediate funding assistance, this option would be out of reach for her future.

What’s Ahead

We are praying that Vanessa can start the egg freezing process as soon as possible. So then immediately after, she can begin her chemotherapy in 2-week cycles. The first week of each round will be the hardest. Week two may bring a temporary window of relief for a few days before the cycle begins again. Because the effects of chemo build over time, each round will be harder than the last. Depending on her body’s response to treatment, we are praying Vanessa is finishing her chemo and radiation by her 21st birthday in February.

How Your Donation Helps

The cost she is faced with is overwhelming. The physical demands are high and so is the emotional weight. Vanessa said, “If I can beat sepsis (9 months ago), then I can beat cancer too. It’s just one more thing to overcome.” Your prayers, positive vibes, and well wishes have helped before, and we will need them again.

Your donation will:

* Fund the egg freezing process immediately, before chemo starts

* Storage for a few years

* Help with transportation with the back and forth to all her appointments and treatments

* Fund the beginning stages of IVF in the future when ready

* Ease some of the pressure so Vanessa can focus on what matters most right now: getting healthy!

If You Can Help

If you know Vanessa, you know what a passionate person she is. She does not stop until she reaches her goals! She’s very practical, smart, funny, creative, and independent. She is also an inspiration to many with how strong and brave she is. Despite all her obstacles, she continues to be so courageous and resilient as she faces adversity time after time. She is also very humble and she’s not someone who asks for help easily, but right now, she needs the help of her community to step in while time is of the essence. Please consider contributing if you’re able. Every donation, large or small, helps bring her closer to stability in a time of major upheaval. And if you can’t give financially, sharing this page is another powerful way to support her. Also, if you believe in the power of prayer, we will graciously welcome them.

In 2025, it's estimated that Hodgkin lymphoma will account for only 0.4% of all new cancer cases in the US. Although it’s rare, nodular sclerosis tends to be easier to treat and has better survival rates than other types of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Thank you for supporting Vanessa and her family.

With Love and Gratitude,

Vanessa’s mom — Tracy