Support Gwen's Family After Her Brave Battle

On November 5, 2024, my sister Gwen, was taken from us way too soon. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and so much more to so many. But God had another plan for her and now she flies high among the angels watching over us all.

Gwen's journey started back on March 30, 2020, at the onset of COVID. She thought she was having a stroke, so her husband had to drop her off at the ER doors alone. After many tests and scans, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer of the Unknown Primary (CUP). It wouldn't be until almost 2 years later that doctors finally figured out what type of cancer she had as she was being cleared to join a trial, and her pregnancy test came back "positive". This discovery led doctors to pull her tumors and retest them for two rare cancers they thought it might be. She was finally diagnosed in March 2022 with Non-Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN) which is a group of rare conditions that cause tumors to grow during a pregnancy instead of the placenta, and some tumors are malignant (cancerous) or have the potential to become cancerous. Her hCG level now was her tumor marker. We thought this was great news as there was a proven treatment plan. Gwen, however, endured so many twists, turns, and curve balls in her journey, taking one step forward and two steps back it seemed all the time. The amazing thing about her though was that she did it with grace, dignity, a smile on her face, and most of all never lost HOPE. Her legacy will live on in the hopes of helping save others with what her doctors and oncologists have discovered and learned throughout her journey.

Gwen leaves behind her wonderful husband, Jim, and two beautiful daughters, Makena and Chelsea. They have been by her side supporting her every step of the way. We would now like to ease some of their burdens by giving back to help offset expenses as they learn to navigate life without her. Makena is still working her way through college with Chelsea soon to start. Let's give them the love and support that they need right now, and in the days to come.

Winnie the Pooh said it best, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Rest easy my dear sister.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support. it means the world to us all!