Supporting Travis & Lila’s Family In Lila’s Honor

For those who don't know me, my name is Lucy. My dear little sister, Lila Lamanna, at the young age of 45, has recently lost her battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

Lila was a creative force, an entrepreneur, a music enthusiast, an animal lover, and one of the most determined women you could ever meet.

After enduring months of intense gastrointestinal and back pain, visits with doctors and therapists, and trying everything she could to assess and address this new health problem, Lila was finally, in January of this year, definitively diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, which, by that time, had already spread beyond her pancreas.

The prognosis was serious and the road was uncertain, but anyone who knew Lila knows one thing clearly — she would not give up easily.

Even in the midst of relentless physical pain, Lila continued her work of booking bands for Dogtown. She insisted on being available to help performing artists all the way up to her last night here on this earth.

Staying connected to music and community was not just work for her — it was identity, purpose, and determined defiance in the face of this awful disease.

On December 5th, during an emergency room visit for escalating pain that started in July, a CT scan revealed a "mass" on her pancreas.

On January 6th, she received the diagnosis that changed everything.

The physical toll was profound. Over the last six months, Lila lost about one‑fourth of her body weight and practically all of her physical strength. Even with medication every two hours, her pain was intense, unrelenting and nearly unmanageable.

Since early February, Lila could no longer safely remain alone and required 24‑hour care to manage medications and ensure her physical safety.

Before this diagnosis, in addition to booking musical performers for Dogtown, Lila also ran a thriving creative business - website design and marketing campaigns. She helped other entrepreneurs build their brands and bring their ideas to life. As her stamina declined, she was forced to step away from much of that work.

Letting go of her business was one of the quieter heartbreaks of this fight.

Since Lila's diagnosis, her loving companion, Travis, provided round‑the‑clock care. He administered medications day and night, managed appointments, supported personal and environmental care, took care of Lila's beloved dog, Una, and made sure Lila was never alone. His commitment was devoted, constant, and unwavering.

But 24‑hour caregiving proved physically exhausting and financially overwhelming.

In early February, a few close friends and I came to help as often as possible. I began to stay with Lila overnight as much as I could, to support Lila and provide some relief for Travis.

We are deeply grateful for every meal, gift card, prayer, and moment of support.

Through it all, there was Una — Lila's faithful canine companion since 2016 — rarely leaving her side. In a season of fear, pain, and uncertainty, that steady presence mattered to Lila and those who were there to care for her more than words can say.

Lila had been focused on rebuilding strength in the hopes of being able to pursue treatment to give her more time, but her body sadly refused to cooperate. At the same time, the financial burden on Travis and members of Lila's family continued to grow: months of severely reduced income, ongoing living expenses, medical and caregiving‑related costs, and all the small but constant expenses that come with crisis.

This fundraiser took longer than expected to activate and is now focused on helping Travis and Lila’s family recoup some of these overwhelming expenses. It is also intended to provide Travis with a more stable financial foundation as he moves forward from this intense caregiving chapter of his life.

Contributions will help with:

If Lila has ever supported your band, built your website, helped grow your business, or simply shown up to shine her light for you, now is the perfect time to show up for, and reach out to the people who have been by her side.

Please donate if you are able. Share widely. Help us surround Travis and our family with the same strength and generosity Lila has given to so many others throughout her short life.

Grocery gift cards for the Roanoke Co‑op or Kroger; cash gifts; and of course prayers and messages of love are also always welcome and very much appreciated at this time.

You can reach out to me directly to coordinate drop‑off or mailing details. No gift is too small. Every act of kindness is appreciated.