Support Aly's Fight Against Cancer

Aly is an 18 year old young lady who is full of love, laughter, and smiles. She loves theater, spending time with her friends and family, leading and worshiping at her church, and traveling. She is also a philanthropist who finds great fulfillment by helping others. Aly is the first born daughter to her amazing, loving parents, Jessica and Matt, and she is a wonderful big sister to her incredibly supportive 16 year old brother, Cody.

In December of 2021, at the age of 15, Aly was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. She had her first surgery at that time to remove her thyroid, and she had to undergo iodine radioactive treatment, and radiation. These last several years have been extremely difficult for Aly and her family to say the least; consumed with countless doctor’s appointments, treatments, and procedures. In the last nine months alone, Aly has had more than thirty doctor, imaging, and lab appointments.

Unfortunately, Aly is now battling Metastatic papillary thyroid cancer for the third time since her initial diagnosis. A new malignant lymph node was discovered just this spring. Aly had to undergo an extensive surgery at the beginning of this month to remove several cancerous lymph nodes. There are more suspicious lymph nodes that need to be surgically addressed as well, but will need to be done this summer because addressing them all at once would have been far too much for her to handle physically.

This third and most recent cancer diagnosis is extremely challenging for Aly because of the number of recurrences she has had, her age, thyroglobulin antibodies, and her having the BRAF600 gene. On top of all of that, Aly’s doctors believe she has become radioactive iodine resistant, which means that radioactive iodine treatment would no longer be an option for her. With Aly’s cancer diagnosis now being a complex case, she is being referred to MD Anderson in Texas, where Aly will be traveling with family this June to figure out what the next steps are, and what treatment options are available to her.

Through these extemely trying times that Aly and her family have had to endure, they have managed to keep a smile on their face, always finding the positive that transpires from their tribulations. Anyone who knows the Arenholz family knows just how kind, thoughtful, and generous they are; always looking for ways to help others. Aly is a shining example of the selflessness that Jessica and Matt have always displayed. Amongst experiencing the hardships of battling cancer, Aly wanted to bring joy to other kids like her facing their own personal medical battles. That is why she started her own charity “Kick Cancer Like a Girl Boss”, touching the lives of children all across the globe. Aly is also looking forward to going on a mission trip with her church this summer, once again, to do what she can to help others in need.

As the Arenholz family prepares for what is such a bittersweet time, Aly’s high school graduation and college send-off, they are also trying to prepare themselves for yet another grueling fight against cancer, and everything that it entails. With any illness or disease, time needed to be taken off work is inevitable. All donations will help to go towards any bills and/or medical bills that may have accrued over these last several years since Aly’s initial diagnosis, upcoming medical bills they will be facing, traveling expenses for medical care and treatment, and most importantly, it will help allow Jessica and Matt to focus on supporting their daughter Aly through her recovery.

Please join us in surrounding Aly and her family in prayers, strength, and support. No donation is too small, and every donation made will make a difference. Thank you for supporting the Arenholz family!