In August 2024, our world was turned upside down. Our mom, sister, wife, grandmother, daughter, aunt, and friend, Lisa, was diagnosed with glioblastoma: the most aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Our lives changed in an instant. Lisa underwent emergency brain surgery in Syracuse to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by the standard approach of treatment for glioblastoma- which involved six weeks of daily radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy, and then followed with several more cycles of chemo and monthly MRI's to monitor cell activity. As a back up plan, Lisa and Mark traveled to NYC and had a consultation at Memorial Sloan Kettering, a world-renowned hospital for rare cancer treatment options. After meeting with a Neuro-Oncologist, who specializes in the care of people with brain cancer and its neurological complications, it was clear to them that their team should monitor the MRI's taken in Syracuse.

If you know Lisa, you know that she’s a fighter. After completing 6 weeks of radiation, she was back to work and living a mostly “normal” life. After a few months of clear scans, in July, we received the devastating news that the tumor was back- less than a year after diagnosis. In July, she underwent her 2nd craniotomy at MSK in NYC. We were told that since the tumor grew back so quickly, instead of repeating more chemotherapy and radiation, her best chance would lie in a promising phase two clinical trial. The immunotherapy is administered with a series of three daily infusions, multiple daily health checks and monitoring every two weeks at the MSK infusion facility in White Plains, N.Y.. This treatment requires traveling to White Plains, a four to five hour one way trip, every two weeks for a four night stay. These infusions will continue for at least 7 months, as long as the treatment is effective.

On top of this devastating diagnosis, Lisa’s employer of over 15 years, that recognized her abilities and work ethic by promoting her several times to her current position of production manager, made the decision to transfer the manufacturing operations to another facility. Although she is currently on short term disability, it leaves her and Mark with a major loss of income, and a very uncertain future financially.

At a time when her only focus should be on fighting and healing, she’s now worried about how to fund treatment and care going forward. Lisa has spent her life putting everyone else first. She’s the one people turn to when they need support, the one who sacrifices without hesitation and never expects anything in return, the one who carries the weight so others don’t have to. She is the most hardworking, dedicated person who has a way of lifting others up and making them smile, even on the darkest days. She is by far the strongest person we know, and she will not go down without a fight!

This fundraiser was created to help ease the financial strain of this next phase of care, which includes recurring travel, lodging, and medical costs, on top of everyday expenses. This fundraiser will help ease financial worries so we can focus on what truly matters: making sure Lisa continues receiving the best possible care and creating meaningful memories as a family.

Your support means the world to us. Whether it's through a donation, sharing this page, or simply sending love and encouragement- it means more than words can express. Thank you for standing beside Lisa and our family during this difficult time.