04/01/2026
Hey friends,
Many of you know that one of our members is currently in treatment for breast cancer. Shelley Palazzolo has recently completed 16 chemotherapy infusions over 24 weeks, and will be having surgery in mid-April.
Shelley is a friend of mine, and will soon be a fellow breast cancer survivor.
I can tell you that the only thing more stressful than the cancer itself is wondering how the heck you’re going to pay for treatment while you’re missing months of work. Deductibles are outrageous, out of pocket maximums are even more so. Most patients aren’t lucky enough to finish their treatment within one calendar year, which means you get to pay those yearly deductibles and out of pocket maxes at least twice. And of course, your life doesn’t stop. The mortgage is still due, cars and appliances need repairs, utility bills need to be paid, you and your family still need to eat.
The financial aspect of cancer is immense, but many cancer patients are loath to ask for help.
I’ve stood in these shoes, twice, since 2022. Without the financial help I received from friends and family, I would have lost my house, and I’d still be in financial straits today.
There are many ways to be helpful to cancer patients, and you may have something special to share. But if you happen to have even a few extra bucks and can help out by donating to Shelley’s Go Fund Me, I can guarantee that you’ll be lightening her load.
Thanks for caring for our community!
In 2016 Shelley moved to Bend with a sense of adventure and a new job as a … Miranda West needs your support for Support Shelley’s Fight Against Breast Cancer
