Our friend Alli is a 37-year-old Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer patient. Since 2021, her friends and beloved family have learned that metastatic disease isn't just bald heads, cozy blankets, and endless casserole dishes...it's a complete lifestyle change. Alli will admit firsthand that she still can't believe she thought her hair would fall out just from being diagnosed with cancer. Who knew it came from the treatments that she would be on for the rest of her life? Within days of Alli's diagnosis, she had a port in place and began six months of the heaviest chemotherapy possible.

In January of 2022 Alli had a bilateral mastectomy; happily saying goodbye to the seven-inch mass hiding behind her right breast. She had multiple lymph nodes removed as well. Later, she developed Lymphedema after being poked where she shouldn't have been, leaving her right arm and hand three times the size of her left. Just like Stage 4 Metastatic Disease, there is no cure for Lymphedema. After healing from her breasts being removed, she followed up with 9.5 weeks of radiation that burned the cancer from the inside out. The cancer had traveled to her knees and spine, which needed intensive radiation as well.

As some of you may recall, Alli's work was her joy. She loved every soul she encountered, fondly referring to strangers as friends upon first meeting. Her pride wouldn't let her stop working until February of 2025 when her oncology team was adamant that it was time to give herself the grace she deserves and start chipping away at her bucket list. Alli goes above and beyond to make things seem as normal as possible. She will always appear to be full of joy even on the darkest days, but as time marches on the strain of not being able to work grows heavier and heavier.

Four and a half years in, Alli has just spent the past two weeks in an emergency hospital stay due to cellulitis in her leg, caused by congestive heart failure. As you can imagine, the medical bills keep piling without an end in sight, and Alli's health prohibits her from working in any way going forward. While Alli feels the sting of pride telling her not to ask for help, I know that helping our friend is what we need to do, now more than ever before.

She is still positive-minded as ever, madly in love with both the family she's built and the one she's always known. I have never known anyone happier to be awake at any point of the day. She will answer your call at 3:00 in the morning as if it were 6:00 at night. Alli needs our help and she is too proud to ask for it. No one should have to experience this at any age, especially someone as young and vibrant as she will always remain in our memory. Alli is incredibly grateful for the support of her community. This girl is LOVED. There are beautiful people around every corner eager to lend a hand or a shoulder to cry on, right here in our city. There is an unexplainable power working through her and using her as a vessel to spread love and light throughout our community. We want her to continue her crusade of joy for years and years to come.