It is with an heavy filled heart and frustration that I share, our hardworking, kind-hearted, beautiful, well-loved, strong, and determined friend Marisa has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 2A, Her 2 +++. This is the preliminary diagnosis as it has traveled to her lymph nodes and further testing is currently being conducted to see if this has spread beyond the breast. Please pray it stops here.

Marisa is a single mother who works harder than anyone we know to provide for her amazing children, Anthony & Angela. Her journey will not be easy. It will be long and difficult, but our friend is strong and determined to fight with everything she has.

At this point in time, what we do know now is Marisa will undergo 6 months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumors before a double mastectomy. However, her oncologist will determine if that plan will stand once further testing is complete.

Marisa needs us. I don’t know a single person that is not met with a warm welcome, huge smile, and a big Italian mama hug when they meet Marisa. She will go out of her way and do anything it takes to accommodate anyone, within her workplace and beyond. Perfect strangers become her family.

The reality of this is heavy for Marisa and her children. She is trying very hard to keep her positive disposition in the face of reasonable fear. The last thing we want her to worry about is how she will keep a roof over her head and food on the table. In typical Marisa fashion, she is determined to work through her treatments as the strong woman she is. My hopes in starting this in her benefit is that she does not have to when it starts to get tough.She needs all of her energy and emotional headspace to fight this nasty monster.

Please consider donating to help our little Italian spitfire. Cancer is enough; she shouldn’t have to worry about how her monthly bills will be paid, on top of copays and all the financial burdens that cancer comes with.

Please donate if you can, anything is greatly appreciated. Please pray for strength & guidance. Please share to help our friend get the best possible outcome.

In addition, friends will be setting up meal trains. More information will follow once treatment begins.