I’m fundraising for my lifelong friend, Eileen, who is like family. We grew up two houses apart, went to the same schools, graduated together; my mom even babysat her as a kid, so we have so many wonderful childhood memories together.

She was recently diagnosed with Stage 3A HER2-positive breast cancer. Treatment is very aggressive and starts soon: ~6 months of chemo/infusion therapy, then surgery, followed by radiation, and ongoing targeted therapy, spanning the course of a year. Not to mention the long-term physical and emotional challenges that come with it, well beyond a year.

Eileen had just started an exciting new job at a mission-driven healthcare company in December after being out of work. The diagnosis hit shortly after. She works when able, but is on reduced hours and disability, cutting her income sharply.

As a devoted mom to her 12-year-old son Dylan, she’s balancing treatment with caring for him, home, and work.

Even with insurance, cancer brings heavy out-of-pocket costs, lost income, and unexpected expenses.

Transparent cost estimates:

• Copays/Deductible/Coinsurance: $6,000–$9,000

• Chemo/infusion costs: $2,000–$4,000

• Surgery/hospital: $2,000–$4,000

• Radiation: $1,500–$3,000

• Scans/imaging/monitoring: $1,000–$2,500

• Meds: $1,000–$2,000

• Travel: $1,000–$2,000

• Reduced income: $8,000–$15,000

• Meals/household help: $1,000–$2,000

Total estimated: $20,000–$30,000.

This fundraiser helps cover these expenses so Eileen can focus on healing, working when possible, and supporting Dylan, without crushing financial stress.

Any donation helps immensely, and sharing means a lot too.

Thank you for standing with Eileen in this fight.