Hello,

(New note - those following will see we increased the campaign from 5K to $10,000.00. The support is there for the Newton family, Susan and Michael - and they honestly need it. The holidays, medical bills, every day expenses - this family appreciates all of the help.)

My name is Kathy (Ashdown) Novak and I am launching this Go Fund Me campaign for a dear friend, Susan Lewis-Newton, whom I have known since we were 8 years old.

Susan and her family, husband Michael, sons Brandon, Brock and Brayton, and the youngest - daughter Bree, have had a wonderful life but it has also been difficult and a path they never could have imagined when they met and fell in love.  Michael is suffering from Leukodystrophy and is in a long-term care facility. And Susan - well my dear friend Susan is suffering with Stage 4 cancer in addition to detached retina issues with her eyes.  To speed through some details (I will post these at the end) Sue has been off work with her most recent health issues beginning in December 2014 after immediate surgery on Christmas Eve for a detached retina that threatened the sight of her right eye. She endured 3 more surgeries, due to complications, and was off the entire year of 2015. During this time she had a series of misdiagnoses; first in May 2015 COPD, October 2015 bronchitis, and then pneumonia in November 2015 which eventually landed her in the hospital. It was at this time that the doctors took a closer look and it was found that Sue's breast cancer from January 2005 had returned and with a vengeance; metastatic Stage 4 cancer. In October 2015 - she would have been cancer-free 10 years  :(  

In January 2016 Sue felt well enough to return to work while undergoing treatment for her cancer. During 2016 Sue began having issues with the sight in her left eye and was diagnosed with a detached retina and had to leave work once again in July of this year. Between the treatments for her cancer, fluid collecting in her lungs from the cancer, and the resulting coughing - Sue’s left retina continues to have issues in healing properly. There is no other way to say it than the Newton family, Sue & Michael, need our help. I am hoping by launching this Go Fund Me campaign we can help the Newton family have a very Merry Christmas, let Sue have the joy of shopping for her 4 beautiful children and her grandson Lucas (born in 2013) who have stood by her side in the past 16 years of parental illnesses. This will bring some joy and relief to a woman who has been strong beyond any one person should have to be in their lifetime. Can you help? Ways to help are to share this post. Donate if you can – anything helps, and pray for Sue, for a remarkable and miraculous cure, for their children to have strength, and prayers for Michael as he lives trapped within the cruel bodily confines of Leukodystrophy, which robs the body of motor function and control, causes muscle rigidity, and eventually loss of sight and hearing. This is an amazing family that needs our help, support and prayers. Sue would never reach out and ask for help herself – so I am more than willing, able and happy to step out and ask, “Can you help? Will you help? And, please, please pray for our friends?” Thank you for your consideration. Below you can read a  little more about their background and an in depth recap of this family’s timeline with Leukodystrophy, breast cancer, detached retinas, and metastatic Stage 4 cancer. I can be reached at [email redacted] if you have any questions.  Funds are only accessed by Susan herself. Any amount over the $5,000.00 will go to the family for medical and monthly expenses. Thank you, Kathy (Ashdown) Novak.  Hoping we can get to $10,000.00!!

 Family history and medical issues.

Susan attended West Covina High School from 1976 to 1980. She was a star player on the Varsity softball team. She attended Cal State Fullerton and played softball there as well. Sue was on Team USA Softball and competed against Japan, China, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. In 2011 Sue was inducted into the CSUF Sports Hall of Fame – a huge honor. Michael attended Bishop Amat from 1975 to 1978. He played Varsity football. He attended Rio Hondo Police Academy and eventually was hired by the West Covina Police Department in 1980. Sue and Michael first met through his parents who were coaching Sue’s Fast Pitch team during junior high. They started dating in 1986 and married July 4th, 1991. Their kids have attended South Hills High School with Bree graduating this past June of 2016.

Michael was working for the police department when he was misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2000 eventually being diagnosed correctly with Leukodystrophy. The diagnosis and news was devastating especially for an athletic and active man, couple and family as the Lewis/Newton’s. Sue went to work for The Walt Disney Company in 2006 in their Corporate Credit and Collections Department and has been there ever since. These are dedicated and loyal people. Growing up in West Covina, in the 1970’s and 1980’s led to producing this solid couple and family. Michael continued to work until he retired in September 2005 (sadly the same year Sue had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer). Michael became wheelchair bound in 2005 and lived at home with Sue and the kids. At this time the couple was raising four kids, Sue’s was working fulltime, they were juggling medical appointments and adjusting lifestyles. Remember these kids are resemble their parents lives; active, sports oriented and on multiple teams. Michael stayed at home until it was in his and the family’s best interest to move him to a fulltime care facility. Michael moved to long-term care in August 2007, the same time Brandon left home for college across country – Lewis & Clark University. Sue was now at home with 3 active & young kids, working, and trying to spend time with Michael every week. Her thoughts and actions were with her ailing husband and her growing children; she really didn’t reflect and think about herself. Now it is time we think and reflect upon Sue and her family and help this wonderful woman find some peace and happiness this Christmas season. If we can also raise more money to help with medical and home expenses that would be wonderful.

 Timeline:

7/1991           Susan and Michael marry, settle down and
                            have 4 children.
2000                Michael misdiagnosed with MS, eventually
                            diagnosed with Leukodystrophy.        
1/2005            Sue’s breast cancer diagnosis, surgery,
                             treatments.
9/2005            Michael retires from West Covina Police   
                             Department; becomes wheel chair bound.
8/2007            Michael moves to long-term care and
                             Brandon moves out of state to college.
2008                 Sue is taken off of Chemo pills 2 years
                             early due to Ovarian cancer risk/concerns
                             /Oncologist retires. Not regualrly checked.
1/2014            Sue dealing with right eye issues for 5 to 6
                              months.
12/2014          Sue has emergency surgery on the 24th
                              due to detached retina.
2015                 Three more eye surgeries and off entire
                              year.
11/2015          Hospitalized for pneumonia and is found
                              to have Metastatic Stage 4 cancer. Begins
                              treatment.
1/2016             Sue returns to work at Walt Disney Co.
7/2016             Sue degenerative issues and detached
                              retina with left eye. Now off work and has
                              not been able to return. She is also dealing
                              with a cyst or obstruction with her right
                               eye retina.
10/2016          CT bone scans updates for her current
                              cancer treatments.

Here is a list of some of the couple’s previous athletic accomplishments:

Michael:
-Gold-medal winner for the Police Olympics in Arm Wrestling.

Susan:
-12 time All-American (Collegiate and ASA).
-Nominated for the Broderick Award in 1981 and 1984.
-Inducted into the Orange County Register Hall of Fame in 1984.
-Voted Sportswoman of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee in 1984.
-Voted Sportswoman of the Year by the deBeer Softball Corporation in 1984
-1997 Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) Champions - Orlando Wahoos.
-1997 Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) - Homerun Champion.
-Inducted into Cal State University – Fullerton Hall of fame in 2011.

Susan and I both grew up in West Covina, California and attended school together through high school graduation. We have re-connected over the years at reunions, on Facebook and through a strong love of family, our country and sports (besides many other interests). Over the years we have gotten to know each other better (reacquainted) and I have followed my friend and her family through their ups and their downs.
I hope you will consider a donation for her and her family. God bless.