support Sarah through leukemia

As a family we were hopeful that cancer was behind us but life threw us another curve ball 7 years ago when my sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with CLL, a form of leukemia. This type of cancer is very rare in women her age. Most people diagnosed are men in their 70's who have been in contact with agent orange.

This form of cancer is treatable and up until this point Sarah has been carefully monitored but has not needed any treatment. Unfortunately, we recently discovered that her cancer has progressed. She just started a medication that makes her very tired and achy, and on the 25th will start infusions that last for up to 6 hours. She will be put on two other medications during this time, and although she won’t look sick, all of these medications have side effects that could potentially make her feel unwell.

After nagging Sarah about this several times, she finally allowed me to set up this page. She is not someone who is comfortable with help, or making a big deal about her health. But, she has also been a single mother since her daughter Fae was a baby, and she has taken on the brunt of the financial responsibility in raising her. Fae will be starting her second year at UNH in the Fall and Sarah is also paying for much of the tuition. She has been the middle school physical education teacher in our town for 25 years, and works several jobs in the summer to manage her finances. Stress can make this disease progress more quickly, and we would love for Sarah to not have to work this summer and just concentrate on getting better. She will also be severely immunocompromised during this time so the germs and manual labor that are a regular part of her summer jobs could lead to very serious consequences. Her white blood cell counts will be greatly affected, which means that something as little as a paper cut could end up being a real problem.

Many of you want to know how you can help, so I have decided to take the reins and set up this page, as I know that anything you could contribute financially would be the most helpful. My sister needs help but she is the last person who would ever ask for it. So, I'm asking you all to help the most selfless person I know, in her recovery. Anyone who knows Sarah knows that she will go to the ends of the Earth for others, has raised an incredible amount of money for those in need, and if you need anything while she's in treatment she will still find a way to make it to you front door with a gift basket, hug, and her time. I can't think of anyone who has earned the help from others more than my sister.

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for ANY contribution you can make to help make this time easier for Sarah. We are continually blessed to know you all and to have such an amazingly supportive community.

Jess