Save Stitch: Donate for Her Cancer Treatment

Please help Stitch live the long, beautiful life she deserves. I am starting a GoFundMe to help my dear friends, Rita and Cragan, with the extremely high cost of medical bills they are facing in order to save their sweet dog, Stitch. Last month, Stitch was diagnosed with cancer. Her doctors believe that with chemotherapy pills and radiation treatment, Stitch can beat cancer and live happily and healthfully for many more years to come. Stitch has been rescued twice. Many of her years were spent with her first parent, Jeremy. Jeremy rescued her from the pound after she had been hit by a car and left for dead, leaving her with multiple stitches from her injuries. Celebrating her strength and signature scars, Jeremy lovingly named her Stitch. Despite Jeremy rescuing Stitch, this time was difficult for both of them, as Jeremy was unhoused and struggling with a substance abuse disorder; many of their years together were spent living out of his car. Despite their hardships, Stitch was the love of Jeremy's life, and he did the best he could to care for her—as it is often said, they saved each other.

It was during this time that Rita and Cragan befriended Jeremy, often seeing them in their neighborhood. Realizing Jeremy's circumstance and his desire to get support for his illness, Rita worked closely with a friend & connected him with a program that provided housing and rehabilitation. Jeremy was ecstatic but conflicted--he couldn't bring Stitch with him & didn't have anyone in his life that could care for her.

Understanding the weight of Jeremy's dilemma, Rita and Cragan offered to take care of Stitch while he recovered. If you know Cragan and Rita, this comes as no surprise; helping others is their natural instinct. Still, this was no small offer, as Rita and Cragan already had a dog of their own and a newborn baby. Despite their overnight "fuller" house, the Varanos fell in love with Stitch right away, and she quickly became a part of the family.

Over a year of love and joy later, Cragan and Rita were devastated to find out Stitch was diagnosed with cancer. The good news? Stitch's doctors believe that, with her treatment plan, Stitch can beat it and live for many years to come. As soon as Rita told me about Stitch, she said, "We're going to do whatever we can do to save her. She's had such a difficult life, and she deserves to have more good years." But, as many of us with furry family members know all too well, medical bills are expensive and treatment plans are challenging. Rita and Cragan are navigating working, raising a toddler, and keeping Stitch's catheter in place, while also spending many nights sleeping next to her on the kitchen floor, simply to make her feel safe. If you know Rita and Cragan, I know that at one time or another, they have been there for you; that's just who they are. My hope is that this time, we can be there for them. Money raised will go towards previous vet visits, x-rays, and tests, as well as future treatments, including chemotherapy pills and radiation. Let's help take away some of the financial burden, and ultimately, and most importantly, help save Stitch. Thank you for reading Stitch's story and for considering a contribution. Any donation is truly appreciated.

**Update** Thank you SO much to everyone who has donated so far! Stitch has now been seen by the radiation oncologist. The plan is for four targeted radiation treatments & if all goes well it will help decrease the size of her tumor, allowing her to be able to urinate freely by Christmas! From there, her treatments will followed up with finishing out chemo and her going into remission. It’s still a long medical, emotional & financial road ahead, but we are doing all that we can to help her get through this and live the rest of her life comfortably and happily. Thank you for your help!