Janelle Ong's Cancer Treatment Fund
Donation protected
Hello Friends & Family:
My name is Brad Ong and I am raising money for my sister Janelle who, as many of you already know, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 head and throat cancer.
Over the past few months, Janelle was concerned about a lingering sore throat and saw several doctors. After many misdiagnoses, she was finally referred to an ENT who found the cancer. Janelle is only 53, and the doctors say this type of cancer is rare in women. There is some evidence that it runs in our ancestry.
Surgery is not an option given the size and location of the tumors, at least until (we hope and pray) they can be shrunk through chemotherapy and radiation. The cancer has paralyzed Janelle's vocal chords and she cannot talk, swallow, or eat. The doctors recently placed a tube directly into Janelle's stomach, and she is currently learning how to feed and medicate herself through that tube. Her tiny stomach can't take too much of the liquid "food" and she is rapidly losing weight.
We recently found ourselves back in the hospital as the tumor was strangling her airways and suffocating her. They put a tracheotomy in her and it has temporarily solved that problem, but new challenges present themselves each and every day.
Needless to say, this has been an incredibly difficult and scary time for our family. There are conflicting views on whether this cancer is still treatable. She's young and her eternally-feisty spirit has not been broken. She has always been a positive and strong person, but the level of courage and fortitude she has shown through this whole experience has been incredibly inspiring.
We did ask her if she wanted to continue the treatment given what it is doing to her. She said that either two things will happen: "Either I'll die or I can help the learning curve for people in the future."
Today, we watch her and love her and take it one day at at time. My hope is to get her out of the hospital today and into a longer-term facility to continue treatment. The facility is not covered by insurance, so we have continued this campaign.
If you are in a position to help, would you please contribute to this campaign? The support would mean the world to Janelle' and the rest of our family, and any little bit will help.
Any money that we raise will be used for home care, medical care not covered by insurance, and to replace Janelle's lost income. My sister Debra and I will both help manage the situation and ensure the money is put to the best use.
Even if you can't make a monetary contribution, we are inviting people to send a note of inspiration. Perhaps you can share a story of a person you know who has battled and conquered cancer or illness, just let Janelle know you are pulling for her. We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, goodwill and community to help transform and heal people. We are hoping you will join us in this fight!
With much love and gratitude, Brad, Debra & Janelle
p.s. If you are inspired by this, please feel free to send to your network of family and friends - we'd be super grateful!
My name is Brad Ong and I am raising money for my sister Janelle who, as many of you already know, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 head and throat cancer.
Over the past few months, Janelle was concerned about a lingering sore throat and saw several doctors. After many misdiagnoses, she was finally referred to an ENT who found the cancer. Janelle is only 53, and the doctors say this type of cancer is rare in women. There is some evidence that it runs in our ancestry.
Surgery is not an option given the size and location of the tumors, at least until (we hope and pray) they can be shrunk through chemotherapy and radiation. The cancer has paralyzed Janelle's vocal chords and she cannot talk, swallow, or eat. The doctors recently placed a tube directly into Janelle's stomach, and she is currently learning how to feed and medicate herself through that tube. Her tiny stomach can't take too much of the liquid "food" and she is rapidly losing weight.
We recently found ourselves back in the hospital as the tumor was strangling her airways and suffocating her. They put a tracheotomy in her and it has temporarily solved that problem, but new challenges present themselves each and every day.
Needless to say, this has been an incredibly difficult and scary time for our family. There are conflicting views on whether this cancer is still treatable. She's young and her eternally-feisty spirit has not been broken. She has always been a positive and strong person, but the level of courage and fortitude she has shown through this whole experience has been incredibly inspiring.
We did ask her if she wanted to continue the treatment given what it is doing to her. She said that either two things will happen: "Either I'll die or I can help the learning curve for people in the future."
Today, we watch her and love her and take it one day at at time. My hope is to get her out of the hospital today and into a longer-term facility to continue treatment. The facility is not covered by insurance, so we have continued this campaign.
If you are in a position to help, would you please contribute to this campaign? The support would mean the world to Janelle' and the rest of our family, and any little bit will help.
Any money that we raise will be used for home care, medical care not covered by insurance, and to replace Janelle's lost income. My sister Debra and I will both help manage the situation and ensure the money is put to the best use.
Even if you can't make a monetary contribution, we are inviting people to send a note of inspiration. Perhaps you can share a story of a person you know who has battled and conquered cancer or illness, just let Janelle know you are pulling for her. We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, goodwill and community to help transform and heal people. We are hoping you will join us in this fight!
With much love and gratitude, Brad, Debra & Janelle
p.s. If you are inspired by this, please feel free to send to your network of family and friends - we'd be super grateful!
Organizer
Brad Ong
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
