Support Leah in Her Fight Against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hello friends, family, and members of our community,

In late June, my lifelong best friend, Leah Kiberstis, was diagnosed with stage 4 gray zone lymphoma—a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma that has characteristics of both classical Hodgkin's lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma—after noticing a lump in her neck that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Soon after, we were faced with the shocking news that there is also cancerous involvement in her left lung, abdomen, and chest cavity.

This fundraiser aims to ease the financial burden on Leah and her family by covering medical and travel expenses related to her treatment. Your donation, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference. It will enable the Kiberstis family to focus wholeheartedly on Leah's recovery journey, without the added financial stress.

On July 1st Leah began R-EPOCH, an intensive chemotherapy and radiation regimen at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This treatment will consist of six rounds, requiring frequent trips from our hometown of Methuen, Mass. In addition to the chemotherapy, Leah must undergo fertility preservation, a potential stem cell transplant further down the line, and of course many PET and CT scans. Already, this process has placed a significant financial strain on Leah's family, as her mother must reduce her work hours to support Leah's extensive treatment schedule. Support from the community will make a world's difference.

Leah has faced this diagnosis with incredible strength and resilience. She has a knack for greeting her challenges with humor, and consistently inspires myself and others to find the meaningful redirection behind our struggles. Now is our chance to rally around her, just as she has always done for others.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support during this difficult time.