Help With Stephanie's Cancer Treatment

My name is Matt Specter and I am raising money for my wife Stephanie's cancer treatment.

UPDATE:  We have been shocked and overwhelmed at the outpouring of support from friends, family, and total strangers.  We never imagined that we would reach our goal this quickly.  We have decided to increase our target, but we want to re-emphasize that anything we raise beyond what we end up needing will be donated to Pink Ribbon Girls, Steph's organization of choice.  We are making this change because 1) we still really have no way of knowing how much the treatments are going to cost us, and 2) the Carols Against Cancer  endeavor is just getting started.  Rest assured that your donation will go to support those fighting breast cancer.  Thank you again for all your generosity.  We are humbled by your kindness and support.

 

Stephanie has been a teacher in the Cincinnati area for over 20 years. It seems like we can't even go out for dinner or groceries without running into a parent of one of her former students - she taught so many kids in this area, it's hard to grasp what an influence she has had.

 

In 2021 she took a job teaching preschool in a new district to extend her reach to more kids that needed her skills, caring, and love.

 

Not long after taking the job, she received her cancer diagnosis.

 

It was early-stage, but since her mother and older sister are both breast cancer survivors, the doctors recommended an aggressive approach. We all thought that this would be as simple as surgery, tough recovery, and back to life. Unfortunately, during the surgery, the doctors discovered that she actually had two different kinds of cancer, and that it was more widespread and aggressive than expected.

 

Steph is now facing 5 months of chemo; 12 months of non-chemo, targeted drugs; and 6 weeks of radiation. We don't know when she'll be able to return to work.

 

Her school has been wonderful about allowing her to take leave, but with no sick days accumulated, she is not getting paid during her absence. She does have insurance through her job, but will be starting a new benefits year in January - meaning nearly the entire treatment will begin with no progress made towards deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.

 

She is the mother of four teenagers as well, the oldest of which will be graduating from high school and starting college this year.

 

In other words, the timing is not good.

 

We are raising funds to help with medical costs and associated expenses not covered by insurance. Any amount raised beyond what we need will be donated to Pink Ribbon Girls .

 

It takes a special soul to teach preschool. That kindness, willful innocence, and concern for others is what

Steph brings to everyone she meets. She has touched the lives of hundreds of young children and will continue to do so after this battle is won.

 

Thank you for all your support.