Women We Have Helped – Kelly

Grant Recipient: Kelly

This is the first time in my whole life that I could not physically work harder to get ahead or work my way out of getting all of my bills paid.

Diagnosis: Stage II Breast Cancer (diagnosed 07/2013)

Treatment: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy, oophorectomy, hysterectomy

Grant used for: Transportation, basic living expenses

Kelly’s story: Kelly’s care coordinator at Scripps Memorial Hospital tells us that Kelly has a “go-getter” personality and is always trying to move forward. Since she was 18, Kelly has supported herself, sometimes working three or four jobs just to put herself through college and to pay her bills. Over time, she developed severe plantar fasciitis, which made it difficult for her to waitress or work in retail. In December of 2012, Kelly’s car was rear-ended while she was stopped at a red light causing several herniated discs and ongoing headaches, neck pain, and back pain.

Kelly’s healthcare troubles got worse In July of 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in both of her breasts. She underwent a double mastectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy, which means both of her breasts, her uterus, and her ovaries were removed due to a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Kelly has undergone six major surgeries in a short amount of time and has several more scheduled as she begins her reconstructions.

As a result of her health troubles, Kelly was unable to hold onto her sales job and was unemployed at the time she reached out to us to request a grant. Throughout her surgeries and treatments, she has continued to look for a new job. Kelly has no close family to help support her during this difficult time and is struggling to pay her monthly bills. At the time of her grant request, she let us know that she was about to lose her car insurance and had trouble affording gas so she could drive to her medical appointments and to job interviews.

SOPFCA felt that Kelly was very deserving of a grant. Thanks to our caring donors, we were able to provide Kelly with a grant to pay her monthly auto insurance premium as well as her electric bill, so she could safely drive to job interviews and medical appointments and literally “keep the lights on” at home.