The Frank Family

UPDATE***** 7/27/2022

Dawn has been battling an aggressive metastasized tumor in her brain from her 2017 diagnosis of melanoma. She had undergone three brain surgeries, countless rounds of radiation and chemo treatments, and just a long, hard, exhausting fight. She had a long hard fight and is finally at peace. Following Dawn's year-long battle with brain cancer, it is with great sadness that I announce that she passed away on Tuesday, June 28th, at Beaumont Hospital in Trenton, MI. Her passing affected so many; her family, friends, co-workers, and anyone who met Dawn is affected by this. As her family continues to get her affairs in order, from catching up on bills to keeping afloat, they also are dealing with the unpredictable grieving process.

(4/27/2022)

Hi, my name is Andy Sovis, counselor at Northwood University, and I am fundraising for the Frank family. 

Dawn Frank, mother to Northwood students, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2017 and has undergone immunotherapy, on and off, ever since. In 2019, Dawn was believed to be cancer free, but in the Fall of 2021, cancer struck Dawn again, and this time in her brain. She underwent emergency surgery in August of 2021; the removal of a golf ball sized tumor caused memory loss and also prompted chemotherapy and radiation, which provided Dawn some decent days. Unfortunately, she again experienced significant memory loss in December of 2021, at which time another tumor was discovered; she had a second brain surgery and again began chemotherapy and radiation treatments. 

Sadly, Dawn is now facing a third emergency brain surgery scheduled for April 28th, as yet another tumor has been found on her brain. Extensive and aggressive chemotherapy and radiation will follow this surgery and Dawn will spend a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. She will also be out of work as she recovers. 

On behalf of Dawn and her family, I’m asking you to assist with any financial support you can offer the Frank family as they face the challenges of the coming days and months. All funds collected will go directly to Dawn to pay medical bills and cover family expenses at this time.

Update, Dawn is home recovering. During the surgery, a second brain tumor was found and removed. (5/5/22)