Support Lorens Fight Against Aggressive Spine & Brain Cancer

Hello Everyone,

I never thought I would have to post a GoFundMe, definitely not for my best friend of 30 years, but here I am. My name is Andrea Vanessa and I’m writing this for my dear friend Loren Stevens-Kearney.

In February of 2024, Loren gave birth to her beautiful, healthy baby girl, who completed the Kearney household. She was welcomed home by a very excited big brother and Daddy in Jaxson and Sean. After years of trying, their family was finally complete. Heartbreakingly, only 3 days into their new life, Loren suffered a rapid and complete paralysis from the chest down. Just 10 days after bringing her daughter into the world, she was back at the hospital undergoing a range of tests and scans. Doctors at NYU Langone identified a legion on her spine. At which point she was transferred to a specialist unit in Manhattan, where, following various treatments for autoimmune diseases and other less invasive options, a biopsy concluded that the legion was in fact a rare and highly aggressive cancer originating in the spine which has metastasized to the brain.

This devastating diagnosis completely altered the life trajectory of their family and began a grueling and heartbreaking journey.

Loren was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma -Stage 4; this is an aggressive fast-growing tumor of the central nervous system. This cancer is incurable. Worse, the little research available into DMGs in adults suggests survival past 12 months is unlikely. In an attempt to squeeze out every last moment of time with her family, Loren, with the support of her family and friends, decided to undergo aggressive concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatments to slow the advancement of the cancer.

So, following over 40 days in ICU and an acute rehabilitation center away from her newborn and 4 y/o, Loren was able to be discharged home where she is surrounded by her family and cared for by her husband and his eager assistant, Jaxson.

Loren is in a wheelchair, unable to stand or walk due to the severe spinal cord damage. Further, she is unable to control bladder and bowel function requiring round the clock care to ensure she is comfortable. Loren is going to and from Manhattan, Monday to Friday, which is usually a 7 hour round trip where 3+ hours are spent in traffic in their car. She is hoping that this grueling effort will give back more time than it takes. An impossible decision, but just one of the many she and her husband have had to make during this journey.

All those who know Loren, know she is strong and brave; she is fighting hard and will continue to battle for every moment with her family.

This fundraiser is being set up to help alleviate some of the financial implications of such a diagnosis and life altering circumstances. Any donations received would go towards:

Converting their vehicle to be wheelchair accessible, enabling a more comfortable commute to treatment and also affording Loren the freedom to accompany Sean to the supermarket or to go to the park or any other family activity that she is so greatly missing.

-Re-configuring the access in the bathroom to enable Loren to use the shower, a necessity that unfortunately their home is not currently set up to allow.

-Medical bills, equipment and supplies including patient lift, specialized shower commode, hygiene and bedding supplies which are not provided through insurance.

-Childcare expenses, as Loren was a stay at home mom, there is a huge hole and some very big boots to fill.

-Travel costs, between tolls, parking, gas, etc the cost of simply getting to and from treatment is already many thousands of dollars.

-Arrangements - while we hope that this treatment and luck will allow us to put off the inevitable for as long as possible, donations would also assist with funeral expenses.

Please consider contributing to this incredible family. Any amount you're willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated, and if you aren't able to contribute money at this time, a share with your friends and family

would mean the world as well.

Thank you for your kindness and support.