I have set up this fundraising page on behalf of my “like a BF” Wendy Coffman and her husband Tyler.

For those who don’t know- for the last 9 months Wendy had been battling Ovarian Cancer

The last 12 months have been nothing but a roller coaster ride

In March 2023 she had been presented with an opportunity to work for a large marina project which included housing and benefits; Excited and Enthusiastic she sold most of her possessions, left her position of 20 years at the bank and moved from Islamorada to Key west without any hesitation.

On June 7th, 2023 Wendy went to a medical clinic with acute abdominal pain, she was sent to the ER in Key West for what she thought would be an emergency Appendicitis surgery. Already feeling stressed about not having Health insurance, they told her they needed to do more tests and scans. The nurse returned to her room, put her hand on Wendy’s lap and said the words that no one Ever Ever wants to hear “It looks like you have Cancer”.

I walked in the room right as the nurse left and the look on Wendy's face was something I’ve never seen in the 28+ years of friendship. “They said I have cancer” she said, “Nahh, no freaking way” we both said

I was angry “How dare they throw that word out there without further testing, that’s such BS “Shut up! there’s no way you have Cancer, you get your yearly check-ups you exercise, you do yoga, eat healthy & you meditate”

A couple of weeks later after Further testing it was confirmed, and Wendy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.

In June, after her diagnosis, Wendy had a full Hysterectomy, had a port placed under the skin on her chest and started Chemotherapy infusions treatments that took place every 3 weeks. Watching her go thru these treatments has been nothing more than heartbreaking and admirable.

Wendy continued as best possible to navigate her life through everything that was being thrown at her. Not only was she coping with the effects of Chemo (Hair loss, Nausea, Fatigue) but some other medical issues including port flipping-over twice, getting replaced and eventually infected removed. Wendy has kept the most positive outlook taking it all like a “champ”

No matter how awful sick she felt, she made it a point to try and move forward working, meditating and doing yoga, but some days were harder than others. Tyler resigned from a full time Capt. job away from the keys, to help her and take care of her on the days she couldn’t.

In the second week of November, she got to “ring the bell” she had finished the first phase of Cancer treatments. The treatments thank Goodness had worked. Wendy and Tyler celebrated her remission with her work family on Thanksgiving Day.

The next phase of her treatment is a 2-year maintenance program which includes a daily chemo-pill that she takes twice a day and an infusion every 21 days. This kinder second phase in my opinion is worse than the first, this pill Lymparza that she is required to take twice a day makes her nauseous, tired and fatigued and instead of feeling like this once every 21 days as per the previous treatment, now she gets to feel like this almost every single day.

On December 13 another obstacle came her way, her insensitive, self-centered boss, fired her for missing too much work. Since her job included housing, he was kind enough and gave her a couple days to vacate. Consequently, right before Christmas, Wendy found herself jobless, homeless and soon to be insurance-less.

Due to her health issues, she hasn’t been able to go back to work, and this whole ordeal has taken a major financial toll. At this point Wendy and Tyler are temporarily staying at a home kindly provided by her sister & brother-in-law in Marathon, but unfortunately, this home will not be available after May and once again they have to relocate.

Wendy has always been the first person to give to others in time of need. Ironically, she never thought she would be in this position herself one day. She has played many key roles in this community, she’s been on the Board of the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women & Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Member of Key Largo Rotary, a mentor in Take Stock in Children, Graduate of leadership Monroe County, Soccer Coach, Volunteer at schools and at many other community events. But most importantly she is a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter and one of my Best and Dearest Friends.

For this reason, I ask our community to do what it does best, to donate what you can, to ease their situation. Your contribution will help them with the substantial medical debt, additional cancer treatments and to find a home to heal and rest. All Wendy wishes is for a home to grow a garden, let's help her with this, they will be eternally grateful as will I, her family and friends.