Help My Mom, Gina, Fight Rare Stage 4 Cancer

Hi, my name is Tia Trione, and I’m starting this fundraiser for my mom, Gina, whose world was turned upside down last April when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 solitary fibrous tumor—a rare and aggressive cancer also known as soft tissue sarcoma.

She had no obvious symptoms leading up to it—just a strange metallic taste in her mouth and some stomach discomfort. What we didn’t know at the time was that the tumor had grown so large (about the size of a grapefruit) that it interfered with a nearby artery and caused internal bleeding, which explained the iron taste.

In 2024, she underwent life-saving surgery and was told everything looked clear. But by March 2025, she was back in the hospital after being misdiagnosed with pneumonia. What was really happening was pleural effusion and swelling in her legs. A PET scan at the time showed a small abnormality in her abdomen, but doctors said it was nothing to worry about.

Her symptoms only got worse. She could barely breathe or walk. Thankfully, she works in urgent care, and her amazing team acted fast—she was rushed to the hospital again. After another emergency surgery and countless medications, we finally got answers: she had soft tissue sarcoma, and it was Stage 4.

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My Mom Is a Fighter

She already beat lung cancer in 2018 after having her lower right lobe removed. She shows up to work, to her appointments, and to life with courage every single day—even while battling something most people have never even heard of.

But now, we need help.

She’s currently undergoing radiation five times a week, but the tumor is still growing despite treatment. Her next appointment with a sarcoma specialist at Sloan Kettering in New Jersey isn’t until next month, and with the tumor progressing, that wait feels risky.

If insurance approves out-of-network care, I can take her to Sloan Kettering’s Manhattan location, where she could be seen sooner. If not, we’re looking at a $5,100 self-pay fee just for the initial consultation.

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Why We’re Asking for Help

Even though she has good insurance and is still working full time, that disqualifies her from getting help through transportation programs, food assistance, or disability support. And because she doesn’t drive, getting her to and from treatment has been a serious financial strain—between Uber rides, gas, tolls, and parking.

We’re raising funds to help cover:

• Medical costs, especially if insurance doesn’t approve the faster out-of-network care

• Transportation to and from daily radiation and potential trips to Manhattan

• Bills and living expenses if she’s unable to keep working

• Any unexpected costs that come up as she continues fighting

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This is incredibly hard to write, and I wish we weren’t in this situation. I love my mom deeply, and I’m doing everything I can to support her through this.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if you can’t, even a share or a prayer means the world to us right now. Just knowing people are standing with us makes all the difference. ❤️