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My name is Kelly, and I’m writing this on behalf of my aunt Stephanie and her family during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Stephanie was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in 2021. Since April 2023, her condition has steadily declined. Over the past year, her decline has accelerated despite aggressive, top-of-the-line treatments. In 2025, she received devastating news: her MS has progressed to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS).
Stephanie now lives with constant fatigue, vertigo, blurred vision, migraines, and severe weakness in her arms, legs, hands, and fingers. She's losing fine motor function, struggles to walk, and experiences intense pain and sensitivity to touch and cold. Simple daily tasks - writing, eating, getting dressed, standing, or walking - can feel impossible.
Because of worsening symptoms and multiple MS flares, Stephanie was pulled from work in October 2025. She hopes to return by early spring of 2026, but currently depends heavily on her partner Jake and their children for daily care.
As if this wasn’t enough, their family was hit with another heartbreaking blow: Their beloved dog, Lady, was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 lymphoma.
Lady is not “just a dog.” She has been Stephanie’s constant source of comfort and unconditional love through long, painful days when life felt overwhelming. Veterinarians believe Lady still has a strong chance at a meaningful, happy life with chemotherapy, but her treatment plan is expected to cost around $10,000.
Between mounting medical bills, lost income, daily living expenses, and now Lady’s cancer treatment, the financial strain on this family has become overwhelming.
That’s why I’m asking for help.
Funds raised through this GoFundMe will go toward:
- Medical and living expenses related to Stephanie’s MS
- Supporting the family during her unpaid leave from work
- Veterinary oncology treatment for Lady’s lymphoma
- Transportation, caregiving needs, and daily essentials
Asking for help does not come easily for Stephanie or her family, but support from others could mean stability, relief, and hope during a time when everything feels uncertain.
If you’re able to donate any amount at all, it would mean more than words can express. If you’re not in a position to give, sharing this fundraiser would also make an incredible difference.
Thank you for reading, and for helping my aunt and her family through this incredibly hard chapter.