Rochelle Seals Metastatic Cancer Crisis Fund
Donation protected
Anyone who knows Rochelle Seals knows that she did everything right to avoid this situation. From the time she could walk, she saved every single penny and ate all of her veggies. Sensible, pragmatic, unassuming and genuine… traits that most of us take our lifetimes to learn, she personified. Yet, here we are nevertheless. Metastatic cancer is ruthless and no one is immune to it or the financial wreckage that comes with it.
The Diagnosis
In October of 2015, Rochelle and her family were preparing for the upcoming holidays. The heart-wrenching loss of Rochelle’s brother-in-law Eric Dawson to brain cancer just after Thanksgiving 2014 was still fresh in their hearts. Understandably, they were stunned when Rochelle was called back to follow up on an abnormal mammogram with a biopsy. Surely this family had been through enough, and besides, Rochelle was always so health conscious. Mother, Father, sister, her son Luke and husband Shane sat around the conference table with her as the doctor came in and gave them the news. Rochelle had hormone receptor positive breast cancer. They soon learned that even though the tumors were detected early and were still small, it had already spread to the bones in her neck, spine and pelvis.
The Journey
Over the past three years of oophorectomy, multiple types of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation and a failed immunotherapy treatment at Vanderbilt University, Rochelle has remained devoted to her family, friends and work. She has been there for every play and performance as her budding young artist of a son, Luke, transitioned from tween to a teen. She has been there for her sister as she navigated the road of young widowhood. She has been there for Shane as he came to terms with this new reality and his role in it. And, going far beyond the call of duty, she never abandoned her work responsibilities. Pragmatic as ever, Rochelle had saved a large bank of vacation and sick time over the years, which she used frugally to accommodate her doctor appointments, treatments and the inevitable side effects. Still, as much as her battle with stage 4 cancer allowed, you could find Rochelle at her office at Eastern Kentucky University as Director of Student Accounting Services, making sure students received the financial help they needed.
Shane has had his own journey of living with this diagnosis. Having been partners in life for over 23 years at the time of diagnosis, Shane too was shocked and has had to rearrange his entire life to care for Rochelle in times when she’s been unable to do so for herself. There is little help or recognition for the caregivers of the world and Shane has managed to step up to the challenges of supporting the family and taking care of all of their needs.
The Need
Rochelle and her family need our help. The cancer has now metastasized to her liver and brain. She has responded well to whole-brain radiation and is currently undergoing chemotherapy again. However, this time, Rochelle will not be able to return to work. The time has come for her to transition to Social Security disability. Since she worked so diligently throughout her cancer treatments, Rochelle will not be eligible to draw disability until April of 2019. With their savings drained by years of medical bills, travel expenses and drug prescription costs, there is no emergency fund. After December, they will have to rely on one part-time income to pay the mortgage payments and utility bills, as hospitals are already threatening legal action for unpaid medical bills. We ask you to follow your hearts and consider a donation to help the Seals family during this emotional and financial crisis, so that Rochelle can continue to do what she does best - fight courageously and love generously.
The Diagnosis
In October of 2015, Rochelle and her family were preparing for the upcoming holidays. The heart-wrenching loss of Rochelle’s brother-in-law Eric Dawson to brain cancer just after Thanksgiving 2014 was still fresh in their hearts. Understandably, they were stunned when Rochelle was called back to follow up on an abnormal mammogram with a biopsy. Surely this family had been through enough, and besides, Rochelle was always so health conscious. Mother, Father, sister, her son Luke and husband Shane sat around the conference table with her as the doctor came in and gave them the news. Rochelle had hormone receptor positive breast cancer. They soon learned that even though the tumors were detected early and were still small, it had already spread to the bones in her neck, spine and pelvis.
The Journey
Over the past three years of oophorectomy, multiple types of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation and a failed immunotherapy treatment at Vanderbilt University, Rochelle has remained devoted to her family, friends and work. She has been there for every play and performance as her budding young artist of a son, Luke, transitioned from tween to a teen. She has been there for her sister as she navigated the road of young widowhood. She has been there for Shane as he came to terms with this new reality and his role in it. And, going far beyond the call of duty, she never abandoned her work responsibilities. Pragmatic as ever, Rochelle had saved a large bank of vacation and sick time over the years, which she used frugally to accommodate her doctor appointments, treatments and the inevitable side effects. Still, as much as her battle with stage 4 cancer allowed, you could find Rochelle at her office at Eastern Kentucky University as Director of Student Accounting Services, making sure students received the financial help they needed.
Shane has had his own journey of living with this diagnosis. Having been partners in life for over 23 years at the time of diagnosis, Shane too was shocked and has had to rearrange his entire life to care for Rochelle in times when she’s been unable to do so for herself. There is little help or recognition for the caregivers of the world and Shane has managed to step up to the challenges of supporting the family and taking care of all of their needs.
The Need
Rochelle and her family need our help. The cancer has now metastasized to her liver and brain. She has responded well to whole-brain radiation and is currently undergoing chemotherapy again. However, this time, Rochelle will not be able to return to work. The time has come for her to transition to Social Security disability. Since she worked so diligently throughout her cancer treatments, Rochelle will not be eligible to draw disability until April of 2019. With their savings drained by years of medical bills, travel expenses and drug prescription costs, there is no emergency fund. After December, they will have to rely on one part-time income to pay the mortgage payments and utility bills, as hospitals are already threatening legal action for unpaid medical bills. We ask you to follow your hearts and consider a donation to help the Seals family during this emotional and financial crisis, so that Rochelle can continue to do what she does best - fight courageously and love generously.
Fundraising team (2)
Renee Dawson
Organizer
Berea, KY
Rochelle Seals
Beneficiary
Rochelle Combs Seals
Team member
