Support Caroline's Cancer Fight and Recovery

Caroline was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the end of September, 2024, following a difficult biopsy process. She will have to undergo an invasive surgery to remove her thyroid and nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is set for 10/22/24. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes and may have metastasized elsewhere in her body. She will undergo radioactive iodine treatments following surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Caroline is currently still suffering the effects of the biopsy that landed her in the hospital for many days, including swelling, pain and difficulty swallowing and eating. Talking is painful and almost impossible. It is unclear what symptoms may remain after the surgery or continue permanently.

On top of this devastating diagnosis, her husband Alex was laid off suddenly at the beginning of August. Alex is continuing to search for a full time job while supporting Caroline through this diagnosis. Caroline and Alex are currently paying out of pocket for Cobra and all other health-related expenses.

My sister Caroline is the strongest person I know, and boy has life thrown her some curve balls. You may know that Caroline has suffered from several auto-immune diseases, including celiac and an air-borne anaphylactic latex allergy, both of which have gotten extremely bad over the last 10 years. She has experienced many debilitating symptoms for years that may be attributed to other auto-immune conditions or possibly this cancer.

With these health conditions, Caroline and Alex have astronomical medical bills and expenses on a regular basis. With Alex's job loss, making ends meet has become difficult, much less paying medical bills. Caroline will have to use all of her remaining PTO, and FMLA/ disability through her employer for time before and after the surgery. These options are helpful but will still result in a loss of some income for them.

We are asking for your help to cover their living expenses, medical expenses (prescriptions mainly), and medical bills. Anything you can donate will go directly to Caroline and Alex and will help tremendously.

For those of you that may not know Caroline or Alex, they are two of the most kind, generous, considerate, wonderful people you could ever meet. They don't deserve one bit of the struggles they have had to face.

Luckily, Caroline is seeing an amazing team of doctors and specialists at U of M. We are optimistic that this surgery will go well and Caroline will be cancer-free. Thank you for reading and donating if you are able.

-Charlotte