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Gina's Cancer Fund
Started by: Gina D'Amico
Gina's Cancer Fund
Gina D’Amico is a 29 year old wife, teacher, daughter, sister, and friend. She lives in Central Massachusetts, and teaches in the Boston suburbs. Gina has been married to her wife Alysa since 2016. They live with their three cats, Stevie, Joann, and Maureen, and their roommate Rebecca. Gina is passionate about educational equity, LGBTQ+ rights, reading, photography, home renovations, and changing her hair color!
Gina’s family and friends are raising money for her ongoing treatment and lost wages while she undergoes treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Gina’s Diagnosis:
In November, Gina noticed a lump on her neck. Initially, her primary care doctor dismissed it as symptoms of a possible infection. Gina persisted in seeking more answers; she knew in her gut that this was something different. After getting a second opinion, and more rigorous testing, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Gina began chemotherapy on New Years Eve 2018 and will have to continue her treatment every two weeks for at least 6 months.
About Hodgkin's Lymphoma:
Lymphoma affects the the lymph system and can occur in both the blood and bone marrow. Initial symptoms of lymphoma are swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fatigue, itchy skin, low grade fevers, and body aches. It is common for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to occur in young adults age 20-35 years old.The label Stage 4 means that the cancerous cells have been found in both the lymph nodes and the bone marrow. Hodgkin's lymphoma is rarer than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but it has much higher survival rates. Gina and her doctors are very optimistic about successful treatment.
Gina the Teacher:
Gina has been a special education teacher for more than 5 years. One of Gina’s biggest goals is to spend as much time as possible supporting her students while she is in treatment; but she will often be out as she undergoes chemotherapy and deals with the unpredictable symptoms of cancer and chemo. She is fiercely dedicated to her students’ education, even while she focuses on her own well being.
Why We’re Raising Money:
Cancer is expensive! One of the first obstacles Gina will face is lost wages. Gina has already exhausted her sick days for testing and initial treatment. Short-term disability will not cover all the days her doctor predicts she will miss school. Another monetary concern is all the expenses insurance doesn’t cover. Your support will mean that Gina will be able to eat healthy, be as physically active as she can, seek mental health support, and cover any direct medical costs like copays and deductibles.
With so many challenges ahead let's help Gina focus on teaching and family, not finances. Please join us in making a donation to ease the burden of her medical bills.
#ginakickscancerinthenodes #ginascancerfund
Latest Update
Gina and Alysa were in Boston early yesterda for a PET scan and a lung function test. She should get the results of both tests/scans on her next treatment on Tuesday. The PET will tell us how she’s responding to the chemo. The lung function test will tell us if a particularly aggressive drug in the cocktail is damaging her lungs too much. It's also the last time Gina will be seeing the nurse she's had since the get-go, so Gina painted her the Citgo sign in Boston, and a part of the Rockies since the nurse is moving to Colorado. Gina says "Kelsey is the most magical nurse I could have ever asked for. She’s been with me through every chemo transfusion so far and her laughter has made it all so much more bearable. When you spend 8+ hours with someone every other week while getting pumped full of poison, you really develop a deep and unusual bond"
Posted by Gina
February 23 at 2:14pm
This community is amazing, both in real life and online. Gina is a part of the Teacher Instagram community, and they have arranged another fundraiser for her. This beautiful shirt was designed by @_missbehavior and is available for the next 15 days to raise money for Gina! Available at bit.ly/shirtsforgina
Posted by Gina
January 12 at 4:24pm
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Sunday Gina & Alysa hosted a “Buzz Off Cancer” party. Gina’s hair expected to begin falling out between her first two chemo sessions. In order to give her control over the process and celebrate her inner strength, friends and family joined Gina in shaving their heads. We ate, we laughed, and at least a dozen supporters shaved their heads, cut their hair, or added purple dye to their hairdos! Even Gina’s “nieces and nephews” were there to watch, sweep up, and cut their own hair. Though the day was exhausting for Gina, the atmosphere of friendship, enthusiasm, and joy was contagious. These are some great memories for the future!
Posted by Gina
January 10 at 12:11am
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Grace Landsberg — 5 years ago
(Rebecca's mom) much love and luck to you Gina!
115 Supporters
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- Joshua Berkowitz-Geller4 years ago Pride bracelet donation proceeds.
- Kib Pearson5 years ago Stay strong!
- Hannah Turner5 years ago Sending love!!!!
- Anonymous5 years ago
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- Philip Bieber5 years ago Dude.
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