Memorial fund for Tiffany Bonacquisti
Donation protected
Tiffany is an amazing woman. A single mother who works as a certified medical assistant, certified phlebotomist, and lab technician at Summerwood Pediatrics in Liverpool, NY, and is also renovating an historic farmhouse with plans to open it as a Bed and Breakfast in the future.
Last March her 4-year old son Leiland was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was admitted to Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and spent many months undergoing chemotherapy and related treatments. Just as his health was improving, Tiffany was diagnosed with Stage IV round cell soft tissue sarcoma of the right thigh. It has metastasized into her left lung. Here's an excerpt from the American Cancer Society's description and treatment:
A sarcoma is considered stage IV when it has spread to distant sites (M1). Stage IV sarcomas are rarely curable. But some patients may be cured if the main tumor and all of the areas of cancer spread (metastases) can be removed by surgery. The best success rate is when it has spread only to the lungs. Those patients’ main tumors should be treated as in stages II or III, and metastases should be completely removed, if possible. This is still an area where doctors disagree about what the best treatment is and which patients will benefit.
For patients whose primary tumor and all metastases cannot be completely removed by surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are often used to relieve symptoms. The chemo drugs doxorubicin and ifosfamide are often the first choice — either together or along with other drugs. If doxorubicin is used, it might be given along with the targeted drug olaratumab (Lartruvo). Gemcitabine and docetaxel may be given if the first combination stops working (or doesn't work). Patients with angiosarcomas may benefit from treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere) with vinorelbine (Navelbine).
Tiffany's treatment plan included 4 rounds of intensive inpatient chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy and surgery. During treatment she has been unable to work. and this has put a severe strain on her finances which are almost in as dire a position as her health.
Recently Tiffany went to Roswell Park in Buffalo, NY for a second opinion and was told she has stage 4 Synovial Sarcoma. a very rare disease. In her words, "I won the wrong lottery." This disease is incurable and she is not a candidate for surgery or radiation. She donated some of her blood for research - again in her words "I’ll never say no to trying to help cure this beast". They also took blood for a study to see if she qualifies for a clinical trial. Her chemo has been discontinued to give her body time to rest because her platelet count is falling (although it is still in the "safe zone"). She'll be going to a pain clinic to find the best ways to manage her pain. For now she'll continue to fight for her life because, as she says, "That's all I know how to do."
Funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will be used to assist Tiffany with her mounting medical bills and related expenses. Please consider giving generously to this kind and loving woman continuing to fight against cancer as it strikes at the heart of her family once again.
Last March her 4-year old son Leiland was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was admitted to Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and spent many months undergoing chemotherapy and related treatments. Just as his health was improving, Tiffany was diagnosed with Stage IV round cell soft tissue sarcoma of the right thigh. It has metastasized into her left lung. Here's an excerpt from the American Cancer Society's description and treatment:
A sarcoma is considered stage IV when it has spread to distant sites (M1). Stage IV sarcomas are rarely curable. But some patients may be cured if the main tumor and all of the areas of cancer spread (metastases) can be removed by surgery. The best success rate is when it has spread only to the lungs. Those patients’ main tumors should be treated as in stages II or III, and metastases should be completely removed, if possible. This is still an area where doctors disagree about what the best treatment is and which patients will benefit.
For patients whose primary tumor and all metastases cannot be completely removed by surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are often used to relieve symptoms. The chemo drugs doxorubicin and ifosfamide are often the first choice — either together or along with other drugs. If doxorubicin is used, it might be given along with the targeted drug olaratumab (Lartruvo). Gemcitabine and docetaxel may be given if the first combination stops working (or doesn't work). Patients with angiosarcomas may benefit from treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere) with vinorelbine (Navelbine).
Tiffany's treatment plan included 4 rounds of intensive inpatient chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy and surgery. During treatment she has been unable to work. and this has put a severe strain on her finances which are almost in as dire a position as her health.
Recently Tiffany went to Roswell Park in Buffalo, NY for a second opinion and was told she has stage 4 Synovial Sarcoma. a very rare disease. In her words, "I won the wrong lottery." This disease is incurable and she is not a candidate for surgery or radiation. She donated some of her blood for research - again in her words "I’ll never say no to trying to help cure this beast". They also took blood for a study to see if she qualifies for a clinical trial. Her chemo has been discontinued to give her body time to rest because her platelet count is falling (although it is still in the "safe zone"). She'll be going to a pain clinic to find the best ways to manage her pain. For now she'll continue to fight for her life because, as she says, "That's all I know how to do."
Funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will be used to assist Tiffany with her mounting medical bills and related expenses. Please consider giving generously to this kind and loving woman continuing to fight against cancer as it strikes at the heart of her family once again.
Organizer and beneficiary
Catherine Tuxbury
Organizer
Oswego, NY
Tiffany Bonacquisti
Beneficiary
