The Cooper Family
Donation protected
Hi everyone! My name is Alivia Waters, and I am raising money for Mrs. Cooper and her beloved family (Pam (Mother), Michael (Father), Matthew (almost 22), Daniel (20), and David (18)).
For those who don't know, Mrs. Cooper has fought a long and arduous battle against various types of cancer for the past eight years.
In January of 2014, when her sons were of elementary and middle school age, Mrs. Cooper was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Following her diagnosis, she continued her career as an educator, raised her three sons with her husband, Mike, and fought cancer HARD with chemotherapy. Her treatment for this cancer was successful!
In 2021, after her Lymphoma had been in remission for about six years, Mrs. Cooper was informed that she was at risk of developing breast cancer. Following her doctor's orders, she began taking a preventative medication for breast cancer to stop the cells from forming, growing, and spreading throughout her body. This medication was tough on the pre-cancerous cells and, therefore, on her body, but it was also successful!
In early July of 2022, Mrs. Cooper was admitted to the hospital for jaundice and extreme itchiness. The family and their doctors initially thought these symptoms might be side effects of the preventative medication for breast cancer, but after several days in the hospital and various tests and scans, the doctors found a 2cm mass at her pancreas head. On July 11th 2022, the mass was identified as Stage II Pancreatic Cancer.
We do not doubt God's hand has been over her entire journey. Had the mass been at the bottom of her pancreas, it would've taken longer for the symptoms to present, giving the cancer more time to grow and spread throughout her body. As of right now, the PET scan indicates NO signs of spreading to other areas in her body!! Considering most Pancreatic Cancer goes undetected until it has reached Stage IV... this is a HUGE MIRACLE!! Thank you, Jesus!!! Nevertheless, Mrs. Cooper and her family have a long road ahead. Because the cancer is localized, the plan is for Mrs. Cooper to undergo chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, surgery to remove it, and chemotherapy again to ensure no more cancerous cells are left behind. The journey won't be easy, but all things are possible with God.
I am organizing this fundraiser because this is a time to gather as a community and help this wonderful family. You can find updates on Mrs. Cooper, leave her messages and words of encouragement, send meals to the family (MealTrain), and donate money (GoFundMe) all on her CaringBridge page (Pam Cooper's CaringBridge Page). Anyone who knows this family knows their passion for the Lord. There is no doubt about it. If you know Mrs. Cooper, you cannot help but smile when you are around her. Whether you are a family member or a stranger, please give graciously to this family who has done nothing but share the love and light of the Lord with everyone they know!
These funds will go towards...
- Medical expenses. This money will help pay fees for her stay in the hospital, cancer treatment, and any other costs for Mrs. Cooper's care.
- Food for the family. Many people have expressed interest in donating Grubhub/Doordash gift cards and home-cooked meals, so I have created a MealTrain account to organize that sort of thing! You can find it on her CaringBridge page linked above.
- A cleaning service to help clean their home once every week or two. The doctors have informed Mrs. Cooper that one of the most important things during this fight is to reduce exposure to germs, bacteria, and viruses (including Covid-19). This cleaning service will help them keep up with their home while she is receiving chemotherapy, allowing them to keep their beloved pup, Champ.
- Relieving financial strain. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper both work full-time and now have three kids in college. David is beginning his Freshman year at Valdosta State this Fall, Daniel is a rising Sophomore at FSU, and Matthew is a rising Senior at UCF. Not only is college itself expensive, but there might be times when their sons want to drive back to Jacksonville to see their mom, so this will help cover the cost of gas and other expenses. During Mrs. Cooper's treatment, there are bound to be days when Mrs. Cooper and/or Mr. Cooper must take a day or two off work. This fund will hopefully relieve some financial stress so Mrs. Cooper can rest and heal, and so Mr. Cooper can spend time loving and supporting his wife at her side.
- Emergencies. Unexpected expenses are difficult for everyone, especially when you are living through a season full of the unexpected. It would be a huge blessing for the Cooper family to know we are supporting them every step of the way.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alivia Waters
Organizer
Atlantic Beach, FL
Michael Cooper
Beneficiary