Help Amanda Beat Breast Cancer!

In August, Amanda received a shocking diagnosis of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer at 32 years old. For a few months prior she had been experiencing what felt like a pulled chest muscle, but in July she found a lump in her left breast and a month later the official diagnosis was made.

HER2+ is an aggressive form of breast cancer and in only a few months the tumor had grown to 3cm and cancerous cells had spread to her sternum, liver and two areas on her spine. She spent a few very scary days at Sibley Memorial Hospital where an oncology team was put together, a few final tests were done and the plan for treatment put together.

The good news is that this type of breast cancer, though aggressive, responds really well to new therapies—a combination of chemotherapy and antibody proteins which Amanda is receiving weekly. But Amanda has many months of treatments ahead of her and needs the support of her friends and family.

Amanda is a generous friend, avid yogi, VERY proud auntie of three little nieces (pictured with Amanda at a recent family outing in the cover photo), and a caring sister and daughter. She has a busy career at a Washington, D.C. nonprofit. Over the past 2 years she has dedicated much of her time to spending time with her sister and nieces in Texas. Her beloved younger sister Erin (mama to Amanda's three adorable nieces) is facing her own health struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To say this family is going through a lot is an understatement and THEY COULD USE OUR HELP.

Doctors are positive about Amanda’s prognosis—but the medical bills and associated expenses are starting to pile up. Because of the aggressiveness of this type of cancer, Amanda will never be labeled “cancer free” and will only be in remission. To keep the HER2 protein (which causes the cancerous cells) under control, Amanda will need to take the antibody protein treatment for the rest of her life.

Before her diagnosis, she had been starting to save for the future. But, the medical tests, procedures and needed supplements that insurance doesn’t cover, along with long-term medications, have depleted her savings. One immediate need is to help cover the cost of the Paxman Cooling Cap (which Amanda is rocking in the photo above). This cap will help Amanda retain her hair, which was very important to her so that she can continue to appear “normal” to her nieces and not have to introduce to them another scary illness.

All funds raised through this GoFundMe will go to help Amanda cover the financial burdens and other related needs that she will have throughout her cancer journey.

Thank you for making a gift to help our Amanda beat breast cancer!

P.S. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Amanda would like to remind everyone to do those breast self-exams—it's how she first realized something was wrong and made the appointment that led to her diagnosis. So important, everyone!