Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,
We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for support for an incredible woman, Deena, who has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma—an aggressive and fast-moving brain cancer. She has recently undergone a craniotomy to remove the majority of the tumor. However, treatment is still needed to remove the rest of the cancer. This cancer typically has a prognosis of 1-2 years to live. While those words are hard to hear, we’re choosing not to focus on the statistics. Instead, we’re holding on to hope and exploring every possible treatment and medical advancement to keep moving forward. This journey is about strength, faith, and the unwavering belief that Deena’s story can be different. At 55, Deena is facing this challenge with incredible strength, courage, and hope for the road ahead.
Her treatment plan is intense and immediate: she will begin radiation five days a week, alongside daily chemotherapy for six weeks. After this first round, an MRI will determine next steps, which include maintenance chemotherapy and the use of an Optune device—a cap designed to disrupt tumor growth in the brain. Deena will be participating in a clinical trial at UPMC in Pittsburgh, receiving an immunotherapy infusion (Keytruda) every three weeks.
Deena lives 4.5 hours away from the clinical trial Pittsburgh treatment center, requiring frequent travel, hotel stays for early morning appointments, and mounting medical expenses. With two hip surgeries in the past six months, she has exhausted all paid medical leave and is unable to work due to recovery from the recent brain surgery and the fast-paced treatment she will undergo.
Deena is a devoted single mother to two wonderful children: Emma, 21, who is in nursing school, and Chase, 17, who is about to start his senior year of high school. With no income currently coming in, they are struggling to cover basic needs, let alone the extraordinary costs of fighting this disease.
We are asking for your help to support Deena in this journey. Funds raised will make all the difference to help her afford her daily day-to-day living expenses on top of the medical expenses that are included from the treatment. Deena wants to be able to continue to be the best mom for her children by ensuring the bills are paid and food stays on the table, as well as being able to tackle this obstacle head-on!
If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping Deena and her family in your prayers.
Thank you for your kindness, love, and support. No amount is too small—every little bit helps ease the burden and gives Deena the strength and resources to keep fighting.
