For many of you in the Morris Hills community, you may already know Annie. She has been a familiar and beloved face at Morris Hills High School, where she has worked in the school cafeteria since 2008. Many students and staff may recognize her as one of our “lunch ladies.” If you know Annie, you know just how sweet, kind, and caring she is. She has always treated the students, teachers, and staff around her with warmth and kindness, and over the years, the Morris Hills community has become like a second family to her.

Outside of work, Annie loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoys gardening, needlework, and spending time with her beloved cat, Baba. Her husband has remained by her side throughout her entire cancer journey, providing her with love and support every step of the way.

Annie’s battle with cancer began when she was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer. She bravely underwent 18 cycles of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 30 rounds of radiation.

Unfortunately, last year, Annie received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned and metastasized to her bones. She is now battling Stage 4 cancer, with the cancer having spread to her pelvis. For almost a year, she has been receiving hormonal therapy once a month as part of her ongoing treatment.

More recently, doctors discovered fluid building up in the lower portions of both of her lungs, which needs to be tested to determine whether the cancer has spread further.

Then, just this past week, Annie began experiencing severe abdominal pain. Her husband brought her to urgent care, where she was transferred to Saint Clare’s Hospital. She was diagnosed with an obstruction of her bile duct, which caused jaundice. Thankfully, her gastroenterology team was able to successfully perform the necessary procedure. After spending a week in the hospital, Annie is now looking forward to going home and beginning her recovery.

While Annie focuses on getting better, she and her husband are also facing the overwhelming financial burden that comes with a long and difficult cancer journey. Between her previous medical bills, her current hospitalization, ongoing cancer treatments, testing, medications, and the possibility of needing additional time away from work, the expenses are becoming more than they can manage on their own.

That is why we are asking our community to come together for Annie.

Our goal is to help ease some of the financial stress so Annie can focus on what matters most, resting, healing, and continuing her fight.

Annie has spent nearly two decades caring for and serving the Morris Hills community. Many of us have been greeted by her smile, kindness, and warm personality over the years. Now, it is our turn to show Annie the same love and kindness she has given to so many others.

Let’s come together and remind Annie that she is not alone in this fight.