Hi I'm Liz.  I'm 30 years old and am a proud mama and wife. That's my family in the picture. They are the world to me. 

So, here's the deal.  I have cancer.  I have to be honest, it feels totally surreal and admittedly a bit uncomfortable to be sharing my story/asking for help but I'll do whatever it takes to fight this.  

In December 2015 I was diagnosed with Melanoma stage 2b.  About 10 days later, I had surgery to remove the local melanoma which was successful however in doing so, the doctors found that it had spread to my lymph nodes (stage 3).   They removed the afflicted nodes and after six months of clean scans, the melanoma was back in my lymph nodes.  I then started immunotherapy (Keytruda) but unfortunately a November scan showed some had spread to my liver (stage 4).   

I'm attacking this thing from all angles.  I recently started a new combination of immunotherapy drugs at MSK, am seeing a holistic doctor, doing acupunture, am on a strict vegan diet, juicing everyday, taking supplements as well as a number of alternative medicines- basically anything and everything that can throw this disease off balance and out of wack.  

My family and I are blessed to have great insurance but even still, this is an extremley expensive fight and we are open to any help friends might want to lend.  If you wish to make a donation, we ask that you do so anonymously as we'd like to create an environment where people don't feel pressured in any way.  

While cancer sucks, it has taught me a lot in just one year (and I'm sure I have much more to learn).  I have so much gratitude for each day and the many blessings in my life.  I share this because life is fragile and you just don't know what tomorrow may bring.  So, if I could leave you with one thing that would be to seize the day, hold your loved ones tight and have gratitude.  And, one more thing, have faith.

Thank you for all your love and support. God bless.