Hi everyone,

I apologize to those that this might come as a shock to, but I'm sure you can understand how difficult it is for me to step out (even in person, let alone on facebook), share this obstacle with you, and then ask for your help in return. As of right now, this is the most effective option I have for any financial help though.

I just recently tested positive for a rare mutation (BRCA1) in December, which drastically increases my risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Everyone carries the BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene. It is a part of your tumor suppressor genes. Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or tell cells when to die (a process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death). When tumor suppressor genes don't work properly (like mine), cells can grow out of control, which lead to cancer. Therefore, I am extremely susceptible, even in my young age, as this mutation allows and encourages cancer cells to multiply and spread decades before they are ever seen in the general population.

After I was told my result, I was given two choices from a medical perspective:
The first, go in for testing every 6 months (MRI's, mammograms, blood work etc.). Then wait and when something shows up, make a desicion with my family in regards to chemo, radiation, and or surgery to fight it.
I'm sure you can understand the stress and financial burden that years and years of this would bring...
OR
The second, getting a prophylactic mastectomy right now at age 25 and in 10 years getting my ovaries removed. The first is a very effective preventative surgery that will bring my current risk percentage of getting breast cancer (87-90%) all the way down to 1% after surgery.

After 6 years of waiting to get this test, praying and just using wisdom, I have decided to go for the second option.
They have been able to move very quickly with scheduling all my appointments to make sure we are being as proactive as possible. My surgery is scheduled for January 26th, 2015.
Your prayers are appreciated, as this isn't always the easiest to bear in many different ways, and certainly wasn't the result I was hoping for.
However, not every season is easy. I truly believe God is my strength in all of this and that He has provided this way out for me to take advantage of. So many blessings in all of this to focus on, really.

My oncology social worker and genetic counselor have searched for financial resources regarding this particular procedure, and to be honest we are stuck.
I do not have cancer right now. They will be doing a biopsy of the tissue during surgery to check for abnormal cell growth (prayers appreciated!). So, I don't have a cancer diagnosis, I am considered healthy. However, I carry a faulty gene that was responsible for taking the life of both my Mother, at age 40, and my Grandmother, at age 36. There are so many fundraisers, marathons, dinners and such out there for those in the midst of the battle (which is totally necessary), but there are absolutely none for those who wish to prevent it.

So here I am asking for your help to pay for this procedure that could potentially save my life. Thankfully, a huge portion will be covered by my insurance company, however even this amount that is leftover would be really difficult for us to come up with on our own. This fund will help with our out of pocket cost for surgery, copays on each appointment, gas for trips from Northern Maine to Boston and back (as I will be staying with family during my post-op recovery time of 6-8 weeks) and necessary items for recovery.

If you have any questions at all, please contact my husband Nate or I. We would be happy to explain more.

So very grateful for your support,

-Danne