On May 24, 2020, my very dear family friend Megan Finnell, went to the ER with numbness on the entire right side of her body. In the previous weeks, she had been experiencing problems with her writing, spelling, and cognitive function in addition to numbness. After many tests and scans, a large mass in her brain was identified and Megan was quickly scheduled for surgery to remove as much of the tumor as was safely possible.

Post-surgery, the pathology report diagnosed her tumor as an ANAPLASTIC OLIGODENDROGLIOMA GRADE III: A rare, aggressive, malignant brain cancer, which was a strikingly shocking diagnosis for her. The diagnosis was terribly disturbing to Megan and her family because her father had just completed two years of cancer treatment for Metastatic Malignant Melanoma Grade IV. In addition to the devastating news, Megan was informed of the possibility of losing ovarian function due to the chemotherapy. Her oncologist strongly recommended OOCYTE CRYOPRESERVATION (egg freezing) before she began chemotherapy and radiation. Megan’s age and desire to have a family made this decision a no-brainer. The procedure was not covered by her insurance and she paid $11,000 out-of-pocket.

Megan and her family reside in Harrisburg, PA, and they explored the best medical facilities and treatment options available in the immediate area. They decided that Penn Medicine in Philadelphia would be the best option for her since it is the closest facility that offers the Proton Beam Therapy Radiation. This is a less invasive radiation therapy with fewer risks of damaging healthy brain cells. Additionally, Megan will be receiving chemotherapy to help slow the cancer’s progression.

Unfortunately, the financial stress caused by her diagnosis has been insurmountable. Megan’s insurance is helpful but there are additional significant costs, as well as travel expenses to Penn Medicine, that are not covered. Since her diagnosis just five months ago, this has had a significant financial impact already on Megan’s life savings and she still has a long way to go.

Megan is very positive, funny, beautiful, kind hearted, and a fighter. She loves spending time with her family, her boyfriend and his son. I have been friends with the Finnell family for over 25 years and they are an amazing group of people. They are hard-working and care deeply about their family, friends and community. Obviously, they are completely in this fight with Megan every step of the way. This means trips to Philadelphia and staying in a hotel four nights each week. The Finnell’s journey has been and is further complicated by the pandemic.

I am asking for your prayers for her speedy recovery and donations to help pay for her significant expenses. Any amount will be appreciated and will alleviate the financial stress so that Megan can concentrate on healing.

If there are funds remaining, Megan would like to donate them to the American Cancer Society.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.