We're with Natalie!
Donation protected
This past September, what should have been the most exciting time of our dear friend Natalie’s life, having just got engaged as well as having been promoted to Elementary School Literacy Specialist at her school, took a devastating turn when she received the unimaginable news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The phone call she received from her doctor confirmed that a lump, found in her right breast during a routine exam, was cancer. This news came as quite a shock to us all. Routine wedding appointments for Natalie have now shifted to doctor appointments.
Since her diagnosis, she has gone through various tests, and has received relatively positive news. A MRI revealed that the cancer had not spread, and on November 1st, Natalie underwent a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. The surgery was successful, and she is not expected to need another. A few weeks ago, she received her official diagnosis of Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
Natalie’s prognosis is excellent; however, since she is so young, her doctors have prescribed a most aggressive treatment plan. She will be undergoing four rounds of IV chemotherapy, followed by localized radiation treatments. She will then take a hormone pill for five to ten years for prevention. Chemotherapy has a 20% chance of causing infertility, so Natalie will be going through fertility treatments and egg harvesting before starting chemo in January. Even with the assistance of the Livestrong Charity, Natalie and Rob will still need to pay a significant out-of-pocket cost to cover this.
That is where we all come in. The funds raised here by your contributions will assist Natalie and Rob with covering the costs of fertility treatments and other related expenses that may arise. We are incredibly grateful her cancer was caught early enough to treat, and we are confident that she is ready to fight!! We are hopeful that she will be over the hump of treatment by late Spring, and will be healthy to proceed with her wedding as planned for next September.
Natalie has dedicated her life to helping special needs children overcome their difficulties. Let’s help her overcome this special need. Thank you for taking the time to read Natalie’s story.
-Karen & Michelle
Since her diagnosis, she has gone through various tests, and has received relatively positive news. A MRI revealed that the cancer had not spread, and on November 1st, Natalie underwent a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. The surgery was successful, and she is not expected to need another. A few weeks ago, she received her official diagnosis of Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
Natalie’s prognosis is excellent; however, since she is so young, her doctors have prescribed a most aggressive treatment plan. She will be undergoing four rounds of IV chemotherapy, followed by localized radiation treatments. She will then take a hormone pill for five to ten years for prevention. Chemotherapy has a 20% chance of causing infertility, so Natalie will be going through fertility treatments and egg harvesting before starting chemo in January. Even with the assistance of the Livestrong Charity, Natalie and Rob will still need to pay a significant out-of-pocket cost to cover this.
That is where we all come in. The funds raised here by your contributions will assist Natalie and Rob with covering the costs of fertility treatments and other related expenses that may arise. We are incredibly grateful her cancer was caught early enough to treat, and we are confident that she is ready to fight!! We are hopeful that she will be over the hump of treatment by late Spring, and will be healthy to proceed with her wedding as planned for next September.
Natalie has dedicated her life to helping special needs children overcome their difficulties. Let’s help her overcome this special need. Thank you for taking the time to read Natalie’s story.
-Karen & Michelle
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Sullivan
Organizer
New York, NY
Natalie Bencini
Beneficiary