Sarah Henning Berkey’s Fight Against Breast Cancer
Sarah and Xavier need your help.
The year had already been emotionally exhausting— a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. July 2019 started with the joy of seeing her oldest niece married. It was picture perfect and Sarah and Xavier were enjoying some quality family time. Unfortunately that joyful “up” was quickly followed with a very painful “down.” Sarah had not just injured her ankle, but had broken it. She would go on to endure surgery to repair it, followed by weeks of being off her feet completely, then crutches and a walking boot, and then weeks of physical therapy. Things couldn’t get worse, right?
Wrong. Before Sarah’s ankle even had the chance to heal, the unthinkable happened— Sarah, supermom to 7 year old Xavier and dedicated kindergarten teacher for the past 14 years, found a lump in her breast. On September 17, 2019 Sarah received the devastating news that what her mammogram and ultrasound had shown was concerning-- she would need a biopsy.
At that moment time seemed to stand still.
She couldn’t have cancer. She was a mom. She had a young son to raise. He needed her. This couldn’t be happening. She could NOT have cancer. But on October 3, 2019 at the age of only 35, Sarah was diagnosed with Invasive Mammary Carcinoma— breast cancer.
Sarah has described the next chapter of her journey as a whirlwind of tests and appointments-- meetings with surgeons and oncologists, genetic testing, a slew of imaging appointments, an echocardiogram, port placement, plus ongoing physical therapy from her ankle injury. It was all so hard to handle.
On November 12, 2019 Sarah underwent a bilateral mastectomy, which had been a difficult decision in itself. That was followed by five weeks of recovery at home-- five weeks of less income. On December 27, 2019, just two days after Christmas, she began the first of two chemotherapy regimens which included four rounds of “The Red Devil” over a period of eight weeks. To say the treatment was difficult is a complete understatement. 
Nausea, fatigue, hair loss, joint pain, and multiple daily medical bills are now part of Sarah’s new normal. These and other daily realities accompany cancer care and each of these builds onto an already stressful situation, creating anxiety, financial uncertainty, and distress. Sarah just began her second regimen of chemotherapy which includes twelve rounds of medication. Her chemotherapy should be complete in early to mid May, but she will remain on oral medications for years to come. (You can follow Sarah's Breast Cancer Journey here.)
Sarah and Xavier need us to help ease some of the burden they are carrying. They need YOU to step up and give what you can.
Your donation, no matter how large or small, will make a difference.
Let’s cheer Sarah and Xavier on and help give them some stability in this turbulent time. Give today!