Support Cheryl in her Brain Cancer Battle

Cheryl Watts is a strong and selfless wife, mother, grandma, daughter, and friend to many. We all know her as a rebel who loves to rock and roll while painting the town red! Her energy lights up any room, and her laugh can instantly get you smiling. Cheryl has always been one to give and never take, and she will always have this free-hearted love. Although this rockstar has dedicated her whole life to helping others, life is unpredictable, and we cannot foresee what is written in the stars. Cheryl needs our help now more than ever. 


In early 2020, after planning a long overdue vacation, she suffered a seizure attack inside her friend's guest room. Although she was meant to have the room to herself, her friend accompanying her on vacation knew something wasn’t right about Cheryl that night and decided to keep her company. She was saved by her friend, who was indeed an angel in disguise. Cheryl returned home after vacation, and after another seizure and months of doctor visits, MRIs, and CT scans, the culprit was a brain tumor. This brain tumor was later diagnosed as stage IV brain cancer.

After a full diagnosis, she was confirmed with Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, along with epilepsy. Glioblastoma can be very difficult to treat, and a cure is often not possible. Cheryl underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor in May of last year. A few weeks after her brain surgery, we thought the Watts family would finally catch a break. During her annual checkup with her Gynecologist, the doctors found cancerous tumors in her uterus. After three months of brain surgery recovery, Cheryl needed to have a hysterectomy before the cancer spread further.


After her brain surgery and hysterectomy, this was the moment where everything started to take a turn for the better. Cheryl’s operations were successful, and she had completed her rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Due to the nature of the cancer type, she is in remission and is not cancer-free yet. She is continuing oral chemotherapy, and her confidence and sheer will are improving each day! Although there is a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, she has suffered cognitive dysfunction from her brain surgery. Cheryl has trouble with short-term memory loss and remembering daily activities, conversations, and driving. 


After a year of being away from work and after 35 years at the same company, her health has forced her to retire. She has lost her employer’s insurance to continue getting the care she needs. Researching hundreds of private insurance plans, we have decided to continue through her former employer’s insurance plan through COBRA. The monthly cost for COBRA insurance is $885.00 per month. This is not affordable on a monthly basis, but the costs will cover her oral chemotherapy medication, seizure medication, monthly MRI’s, weekly lab tests, and anything in between for health costs without leaving her in debt from out-of-pocket claims or private insurance benefits. 


With this, we plan to alleviate the financial burden cancer has caused, both now and in the future. Our goal is to raise enough money to cover the insurance cost for at least the end of the year. This will alleviate some of the family’s pressure and eventually give them the stability to live a normal life.