Illa Brown and family
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Illa Brown is extraordinary. She's a loving mother and wife, passionate paramedic, a world-traveler, an adored educator, and a committed optimist. Hard to believe anyone can be so good at living.
On January 3, she found out she had a brain tumor. While most of it was successfully removed the next day without causing any neurological issues, the road ahead promises to be the biggest challenge yet for Illa, Charley and their kids, Sage (11) and Josephine (8).
At age 38, Illa has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer.
She begins radiation and chemotherapy next week in an effort to pound the cancer into remission. She will likely be on chemotherapy in order to keep the cancer at bay for the rest of her life, which should still be a long and happy one.
During the next six months or so when treatment is aggressive, Illa will probably not be allowed to drive for risk of seizures resulting from brain swelling. As a paramedic in Woodland Park, this means she won't be able to work.
Charley is at Illa's side through all of this. While it's obviously an emotional nightmare for him, he will also be caring for Illa, getting her to appointments and on his own to get the kids to and from school and activities. He is self-employed and does not have the privilege of paid time off or FMLA leave.
In addition to what will inevitably be some extraordinary medical expenses, the family's income is going to take a definite hit.
We have started this GoFundMe page to help support Illa, Charley, Sage and Josephine through this extremely tough next several months before Illa comes out on the other side of this and their lives can return to their normal vibrancy.
On January 3, she found out she had a brain tumor. While most of it was successfully removed the next day without causing any neurological issues, the road ahead promises to be the biggest challenge yet for Illa, Charley and their kids, Sage (11) and Josephine (8).
At age 38, Illa has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer.
She begins radiation and chemotherapy next week in an effort to pound the cancer into remission. She will likely be on chemotherapy in order to keep the cancer at bay for the rest of her life, which should still be a long and happy one.
During the next six months or so when treatment is aggressive, Illa will probably not be allowed to drive for risk of seizures resulting from brain swelling. As a paramedic in Woodland Park, this means she won't be able to work.
Charley is at Illa's side through all of this. While it's obviously an emotional nightmare for him, he will also be caring for Illa, getting her to appointments and on his own to get the kids to and from school and activities. He is self-employed and does not have the privilege of paid time off or FMLA leave.
In addition to what will inevitably be some extraordinary medical expenses, the family's income is going to take a definite hit.
We have started this GoFundMe page to help support Illa, Charley, Sage and Josephine through this extremely tough next several months before Illa comes out on the other side of this and their lives can return to their normal vibrancy.
Fundraising team (3)
Amanda Miller Luciano
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
Illa Brown
Beneficiary
Charley Brown
Team member
