Leah's Fight Against Cancer Fund

This campaign is set up on behalf of  our friend and Leah’s mother Karen Cannon. The  purpose of this page is to raise money for my very dear friend of the family, Leah.  Leah is not only a friend of ours, but also our baby sitter, dog sitter, and most importantly spiritual sister.  She is an amazing young woman with many talents.  Aspiring nursing student, artist, and animal technician just to name a few.  An all around pleasure to be around with a sweet and loving personality you never get enough of. 
  
   This past October Leah suffered from multile seizures and was emergency air lifted to University of Penn.  She underwent craniotomy surgery in hopes of removing a brain tumor that was found via MRI.  Several days later Leah was officially diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma.  Glioblastoma IV is a very aggressive type of brain cancer with a very poor prognosis.

    Treatment consists of a combination of proton therapy radiation, chemotherapy, and frequent MRI testing.   This is extremely expensive and Leah and her family are continually fighting with insurance companies to cover procedures and therapy.  Funds are needed as soon as possible as treatments are getting more and more expensive as the days progress.  And time we just do not have.  

    Please help us raise money for Leah and her family to help pay for medical bills, travel expenses, lost wages, and alternative therapies.  Hopefully we can offer them relief and pick up their spirits during this extremely difficult time.

Leah shares her personal experience with Glioblastoma below.
 
    "Whenever I heard commercials based on cancer and the treatment for it, I never took too much note of it. Ever since I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma IV, now it seems they are the only commercials I hear. Its shocking how much one’s life can change in one incident. My life is a vast contrast to the one I was acclimated to. I look back on the trivial problems I had, so minute compared to those I face now.

    Throughout college, I continuously exerted myself with the end goal of making it into nursing school. I was so relieved when I found out I was accepted. I have to say that withdrawing from nursing school because of my diagnosis was such a hard thing to do, frustrating.. it seemed my life was out of my control. I was robbed, my efforts seemingly for nothing. I hope to continue my nursing classes this upcoming semester, if able.
     In addition to Nursing, I am a Fine Arts major. Art is a passion in my life.. the history always fascinates me. I didn’t get to participate in the annual art show for my college since I am unable to drive and not attending. Besides my own health issues, my 92  year old art instructor dealt with her own. She passed during my time in the hospital. I greatly miss her and the close bond we shared. Losing her and dealing with my issues has caused my drive to paint to fizzle out.. hopefully temporary.

     Once treatment began, I found myself crying during radiation.. it cemented my diagnosis in stone. This was really occurring, not just a misdiagnosis or a dream. Radiation is a taxing process.. the fatigue, commute, and hair loss. Every time I touch my hair, hair falls out, causing me to feel unnerved and depressed. In addition, there are many medications to take. Prior, I never took any pills as it wasn't necessary. Now it is hard to keep up with. Not being able to drive is another frustrating issue, being dependent on others when I haven't had to for the past two years.

    Positivitity and an uplifted spirit is not always easy.  Jehovah God has consistently been a support system I've had through prayers and scriptures.  In addition, I am so grateful for the support I have, my family and friends are their for me continually.  When with them, I  forget I have cancer...but those moments when alone  my mind does travel,  to negative thoughts.  I do not know how I would be able to cope without these support systems."

Please, together help us win this fight against cancer.