Hi, my name is Deb. I am a 57 year old caregiver living in small town Vermont. I have worked with the developmentally disabled as a special education teacher and home caregiver for the last 35 years. With the help of SanghaCare and my minister, I am seeking help to raise money for treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

But first, here’s my cancer story....

Last year in November, I began having a hard time breathing. Just going up the stairs in my home would leave me wheezing. At first, I thought it was asthma. But by Christmas, my breathing was so labored that I went to the emergency room. Something felt very wrong.

They took a chest x-ray and discovered fluid in the lining around my lungs and heart.

The biopsy of the fluid showed cancer cells, a cell type associated with metastatic breast cancer. Over the next 8 weeks, I had CAT scans, MRIs, a mammogram, an endoscopy, a colonoscopy.....a battery of tests. My breasts showed no tumors, but they determined the cancer originated in the lining of the lungs and had spread to my bones. In the end, I was diagnosed with HER2-negative breast cancer. As it turns out, not all breast cancers involve tumors.

My oncologist started me on a treatment of hormone therapy two weeks ago, but this treatment is not a cure. It is palliative. She told me that most people in my situation have 3-5 years to live. That report has been settling in every since.

I also have a naturopath on my care team who specializes in cancer treatments. He said in my first intake that the HER2-negative cancer is not only treatable but may even be curable with a targeted protocol. A member of our congregation went into remission from stage-four bladder cancer under his care, and says he is alive today 12 years later because of the treatment he received from this specialist.

Knowing there are treatments that could extend my life or even reverse the course the cancer gives me hope. I want to pursue a full treatment protocol, but it is beyond my means. With the support of my congregation and friends, and perhaps other good Samaritans, maybe there will be more years to this beautiful life.

More about me... 

At present, I live in a small house in Springfield, Vermont, where I care for a disabled person in my home. Taking care of special needs people has been a passion in my life, and my life’s work.

I love dogs. I have two adopted sweet dogs, Palden and Jack, who give me joy every day.


I sometimes dog-sit for other people too, just for fun. I love hiking, swimming, cooking, art and crafting.

I have strong spiritual leanings, and am especially drawn to the wisdom of the East. I am a longtime meditation practitioner. I have volunteered regularly at a number dharma (spiritual) centers over the years, including Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, Karme Choling, Tassajara and the Dharmata Foundation.

To try to beat the cancer, I am working with an oncologist, a naturopath and a team of physicians. I am supported by friends and my dharma community as I try to navigate the challenges of this illness, taking it one day at a time. Much gratitude for taking the time to read to my story.

A few words from Natural Dharma Fellowship's SanghaCare: 

Can you join us in helping Deb pay for her treatment?

She is truly an amazing woman: compassionate, kind and caring. Our congregation universally loves her! Her story (above) was written with the help of her minister and congregants.

If you have questions for Deb, or want to know more about her, you can email Terri Kreling ([email redacted]) of SanghaCare, who has agreed to help her with correspondences.

Every little bit helps! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity on behalf of Deb.  May the blessings, mitzvahs and good karma be yours!

For any technical questions about this site, please contact Meghan at [email redacted].