On September 27, 2022, Shawnee was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma after a year long journey trying to find an accurate diagnosis. A year later, after completing 14 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, a major surgery, and many challenges along the way, she had her first set of post-treatment scans.

It was the hope that these scans would show no evidence of disease, but unfortunately on September 28, 2023, Shawnee received the news that her sarcoma has returned. She will immediately begin a new line of treatment. At this time, this will require roughly 6 months of different types of chemotherapy than she originally received, at which point her medical team will evaluate further treatment based on results. Shawnee has already been through an extremely difficult journey (which is... the understatement of the century) during the first line of treatment, and now is preparing to do it again.

Cancer treatment is physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting (also an understatement). It is also incredibly expensive. Shawnee will need to focus all of her energy on treatment and getting well. Worrying about finances, affording treatment, and cost of living does not support that focus. At the time of her initial diagnosis in 2022, Shawnee had to leave her job due to the aggressive nature of her cancer and her treatment schedule. As she has been unable to work, and the first line of treatment has been an extreme financial burden, she and her caretakers are in an incredibly difficult position as she enters her second line of treatment. This second line of treatment brings new financial burdens such as gas and parking in Boston, potential hotel stays during each round of chemo, caretakers' loss of work to care for Shawnee full time, meals, emergency hospital stays, and many more unexpected costs of treatment and living that will inevitably emerge as she moves forward. Shawnee is extremely grateful that she was able to complete the first line of treatment without accepting donations, but the second line of treatment brings about too many new financial challenges for that to remain possible.

Please consider donating so that Shawnee and her family can wholeheartedly focus on her return to great health. She and her medical team are doing everything in their power to ensure that is the case. Any amount is appreciated - there is no amount too small or insignificant. If donating is not in the cards for you, please share this page with your networks.

We will update this page as treatment progresses. Please keep Shawnee in your thoughts.