Help Marva Fight Cancer

Our Mom, Marva Andrews (Ellis) has faced life’s toughest challenges the last few years. Health issues, covid job loss and an old back injury could not prepare her for losing Albert, her soulmate, partner & best friend of 56 years. It was unexpected and without warning the cancer spread with lightning speed. In just 6 short weeks, on Jan 17, 2021, Dad lost his battle. Today, after two years of grief and loss, Mom is facing the same enemy.

Last fall a small skin blemish on Mom’s right cheek wasn’t healing and after a gardening accident that caused profuse bleeding, the sore began to grow as if on steroids. A biopsy of the very large tumor confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. CT and PET scans show possible involvement of lymph nodes closest to the affected area, but no distant organ metastases. Mom has since acquired a medical team of surgeons, oncologists, infusion RN’s and in another surprise twist, a cardiac team. She went to her first infusion at Knight Cancer Center and was instead sent to the hospital to have a pacemaker put in. It has not been easy, but she recently received her 2nd infusion and she feels optimistic, like it might be working. Unfortunately, immunotherapy has caused some debilitating side effects requiring someone to be with her 24/7 for 7-10 days after the treatment. We are taking turns traveling to be with her in WA so she will not be alone.

We want to give Mom every available tool to get well and be healthy again. She is a brave and fearless fighter and she has purpose. She intends to beat this so she can begin ticking the boxes on her bucket list, which includes traveling to MI to hug her grandkids and to finally meet her seven great grandchildren. She wants to write about her experience, hoping it will encourage others to seek aggressive treatment early.

Her treatment plan requires ongoing infusions, possible radiation therapy and probable surgery to remove the lymph nodes and reconstruct her cheek. We are watching the bills roll in and they are adding up at an alarming rate. We had a family meeting and all agreed we needed to reach out and so we have come here to fundraise for our very beautiful and gracious mother.

Your generous donations will help with the following expenses:

Medical Bills not covered by Medicare plans

We very humbly say thank you for taking the time to read Marva’s story. With all the big love out there we are confident she will kick cancer’s arse!

Blessings-