Making a difference in Allie's cancer journey.

Welcome all, from those who have been with us throughout this five-year journey to newcomers, to the “Helga” show. Allie is our bright light, mischievous sister, loving daughter, bringer of laughter and resilient soul despite all of the chaos this cancer journey has put her through. Allie has stage IV medullary thyroid carcinoma (not so affectionately coined “Helga”) which is a very rare type of thyroid cancer that does not yet have a form of chemotherapy that can eradicate it. Her cancer doesn’t respond to typical chemo nor does she qualify for immunotherapy. This journey has been filled with many heavily-monitored clinical trial treatments.

Starting in November of 2021, the cancer stopped responding to her most recent trial drug, with scans showing both tumor growth and new tumors. Most of 2022 was figuring out if her current trial was still her best option and going through some painful rounds of radiation to stop the growth in areas that doctors call the “danger zones.” These include areas close to her heart, lungs and, unfortunately, a spot that grew into the base of her brain. By October of 2022 she, the family, and medical team decided to try a new trial drug - a different style of targeted therapy that focused on her very specific RET mutations. The process has been an agonizing one as we only know if a new drug is working with time: tracking dosage amounts and following tumor growth despite her continued pain. Without pain medication she has a harder time with the basics - things like getting dressed and driving her car. Even a walk around the block can feel like a triumph.

It is distressing as her family, made even worse with the feelings of helplessness against her pain. The best we can do is try and improve her quality of life as we hope that time and scientific studies can bring her the relief she deserves. So for those who have reached out, shown support and asked how they can help - this is the best way! Money doesn’t make the world go round, but it does help bring medical treatments faster to those affected by cancer and help ease the many impairments this brings to everyday life. Allie isn’t able to work part-time and is currently on medical leave. Funds received from this GoFundMe will go a long way toward easing the financial burden put on her shoulders by this cancer.

It's been a really difficult journey for Allie, but as history can attest, she is stronger than anything that happens to her. Please keep her in your thoughts; send her the positive energy she needs to get better. We’re taking each day as it comes. Spending time in gratitude for all the moments and memories that we have together. The only known factors we have is hope and faith. Hope for her to be happy. Hope that the pain will be lessened. Hope for her life to be filled with endless unconditional love.

We want to thank all of you for standing alongside us, rooting for us, guiding us and reinforcing us on this journey with Allie. With your help, and your generous giving, we’ll be able to pay off her medical bills, give her comfort during this painful journey, and prepare for any unforeseen changes in drugs and trials that may lay in our future.

Our hearts are forever thankful for giving our Allie so much support. We are reminded of one quote from a special supporter that has helped us through the hard days: “Keep the faith, and the faith will keep you”. We believe!

-The Piles.