TEAM Darlene

Most of us know it’s a blessing to have good health, a caring network of family and friends, and a steady income.   One of our teammates is struggling with 2 of these.  This GoFundMe page was created for those of us who want to do something to help.  

In 2007, while working as Executive Director for Rivers of Hope, a non-profit organization providing services to domestic violence victims, Darlene Disney was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She, like so many others, went through a lumpectomy and radiation and came out the other side with a very low risk of recurrence.   In 2017, two weeks before putting on her 4th San Diego Crew Classic, she received news that the cancer had returned.  While maintaining focus on executing the largest rowing regatta on the west coast, she was now making life changing decisions with oncologists and surgeons.  Two weeks after the regatta, Darlene had a double mastectomy.  She worked from home for less than a month, but endured 6 months of painful recovery - a result of the radiation years before.  Her healing process was atypical, did not allow her to do the prescribed chemotherapy treatment, and subsequently left her requiring follow-on surgeries.  She has now undergone 4 more surgeries, with the most recent one on Friday, 2/15/19. 

Darlene doesn't complain and it's not in her nature to ask for help - unless it's to volunteer at the SDCC!  She stoically moves forward and has shown amazing strength and resilience.  I know that she has been on unpaid medical leave since August 2018 and has rising medical and living expenses combined with an unknown employment future.  Please consider joining TEAM Darlene and help this exceptionally strong, loyal, caring, and committed woman through this challenging time. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM).  

Please consider posting this link on your social media site or forward to friends/family you think might be interested in participating.   Thank you!