Source: Kenneth Messey
I have known Kenneth Massey for years now and have developed quite a meaningful friendship over our shared interest ― Arts. He has been so good, helpful, encouraging, supportive, and all-around kind to me; pushing me to continue pursuing arts. When I was happily drawing last year from June-August, I remember writing down his words of encouragement in my sketchbook which only shows how much I value and respect him as a person.
"ABOUT ART COMPETITIONS ― Moving forward to me is of greater value than winning. You will get what you want, but imagine this is a marathon and not a 100 meter dash. You will meet steep inclines, adversity and heartache. Push through it all; even when you are desperate and it feels like all hope is lost. You will be okay." ― Kenneth Massey
When he started posting updates about his wife's battle against cancer, it was the time that I wasn't getting paid by my previous company and eventually I quit my job to go back to Philippines for good. The timing wasn't right and I hated that I couldn't donate any amount to him as support. All throughout 2017, I have read the ups and downs of his wife's battle, and just when we thought everything's going right, Heather's health collapsed once again just before Christmas, escalating her cancer diagnosis to stage 4.
Kenneth and Heather
Heather and I aren't Facebook friends, but I have known her battle from reading Kenneth's updates and by visiting her profile from time to time. She is a true definition of a graceful woman I am dreaming of becoming ― kind, just, eloquent, (a) fighter, positive, brave, and compassionate.
I asked Kenneth about the whole story of Heather's battle, and as much as I want to relay it myself, I think quoting Kenneth's words will be the best...
If you have the time to write the story, she is a scientist, mother of two young children, that bravely exposed herself to radiation and mutagens in hopes of finding a cure for autoimmune diseases. In November of 2016, she discovered a lump in her breast. Doctors were very positive because we detected cancer at its very early stage and removed it in December of 2016 and immediately treated with chemotherapy. One of the surgeries resulted in a punctured lung that led to a lung collapse and heart problems that nearly caused her to die in January of 2017. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy did not match the rare genetic profile of this extremely rare variant of cancer, so it survived and grew during chemotherapy, prompting a more aggressive approach including a mastectomy, radiation, and different chemotherapy that somewhat matched the genetic profile of this cancer variant and is usually only given to patients with advanced stage cancer. We were told that surely this time the cancer was eliminated. Unfortunately, in December of 2017, a PET scan revealed that a single dormant cancer cell (dormant cells are immune to chemotherapy) survived and lodged itself in her left lung, sparking a new tumor and escalating the diagnosis to stage 4. We went from celebrating the end of her cancer treatment to discussing funeral arrangements. We don't want to give up and are making a last ditch effort to beat cancer. We have two young children and cannot let it win. So we need funds to take her to Houston where there are doctors that specialize in extreme cases like hers. Any help that we can get to help her win against cancer or at least be alive to see our youngest daughter finish high school is greatly appreciated.
I remember my initial reaction upon realizing that I have #steemit now ― I cried happy tears because I can finally help my good friend and his family. I know and I believe in this community so much that I am positive this will touch the hearts of many to donate and help.
I am humbly asking each and everyone of you to donate any amount to their GoFundMe account or you can upvote this post because all proceeds will be donated to Kenneth and Heather. (I will make another post about the transaction and all for transparency after the payout of this post, and of course after I send all the collected amount to Kenneth.)
You can find their GoFundMe account here: Heather's Cancer Care Fund
Thanks a lot for reading my post! Cheers!
Hope and pray that she will come out victorious against cancer.
Claiming it, @arnel! Thanks a lot!
You're welcome... I am glad that we can also use Steemit to bring in worthy causes such as this. Resteemed so that more people can read this.
Means so much to me, @arnel! Thanks much! And yes to steemit and its possibilities! X
I hope everything will be fine to your good friend despite of this difficult life challenge.
Thank you so much, Jerome! Fingers crossed she will win this!
Praying for her , Such a tough battle ..
I hate cancer with all my heart. Thanks a lot, @jkenny!
Praying for your friends Lai. What a great thing to do for them. ❤
Thank you, @bearone! This is why I love steemit! A HS graduate, black-sheep like me is able to help someone. Hehe! :D
I FEEL THIS IS PART OF ME ! I UPVOTED AND I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP.
YOU ARE DOING GREAT TO YOUR FRIEND.
YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND SO SHE IS.
I WISH I COULD VISIT HER .
PLEASE SAY HELLO TO HER, AND TELL HER SHE GOT NEW FRIEND , WISH HER ALL THE BEST!
I will totally ask Kenneth to send this link to Heather so she can read all the well wishes from you guys! Thank you so much! Xx
Always welcome!
have a nice day!
Sending positive vibes, hoping for the best.
Thanks a lot, @thekitchenfairy! X
Keep in touch everything will be okay. I'll pray for your friend.
Prayer is much needed! Thank you, @vincent1923!
Aww :( hoping for her recovery 😇
Thank youuu, @debilog! Xx
your post is steady..
Hello, @jealson! What do you mean by that? :)
My undergraduate thesis was on cancer and its progression -- learning so much about it on a deeper level scared me. And knowing many people had to experience this ugly thing is heartbreaking; my prayers go to your friends and their family. I hope they go through it victorious. They look and sound like such lovely people. 💕
Your testimony scared me as well. Cancer runs in our family, so this is really close to my heart. And yes, they truly are, they truly are. Thanks a lot, @erangvee!
Sending lots of positive recovery vibes her way.
I will make sure she'll read this! Thank you, @osm0sis!
Voted 100%, not much but I hope the best for her!
Hey! It is much, much more! Thank you, @fr3eze!
Praying is the best Medicine.. God will truly bless you @olaivart for your good heart for helping heather .. Hope for her recovery .. Prayers from us and God do the rest.. Godbless us all
Truly! Back when I was penniless, I always tell Kenneth that I can only offer them my sincerest prayers. Thank you, @jaycee7viral!
No problem :)
Thank you for doing this wonderful gesture for them <3
I hope that she can win this, sending her all of the good energies I have.
Hello, your post was nominated for an upvote by a fellow from the Sndbox incubator for it's creative and impactful community content. Best of luck with this amazing fundraiser initiative for Kenneth. Steem on friend :D
a very nice thing u're doing.. lovely to see such a friendly help.. :)
I pray God will give her strength and quick recovery