Meet members of the Western Massachusetts community that have benefited from your support!
Meet Chris Letendre
Chris was diagnosed with stage IV T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and Leukemia in January 2011 after feeling a lump in his neck. He underwent chemotherapy and went into remission, but the cancers returned, and a stem cell transplant was necessary. His younger brother was confirmed as a perfect match for the transplant, and under the care of Dana-Farber’s finest doctors and nurses, Chris had a stem cell transplant in August 2012. Chris still undergoes weekly treatment at Dana-Farber’s Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, and attributes his positive outlook to his wife Shelley, and their two sons, ages 12 and 15.
Chris was diagnosed with stage IV T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and Leukemia in January 2011 after feeling a lump in his neck. He underwent chemotherapy and went into remission, but the cancers returned, and a stem cell transplant was necessary. His younger brother was confirmed as a perfect match for the transplant, and under the care of Dana-Farber’s finest doctors and nurses, Chris had a stem cell transplant in August 2012. Chris still undergoes weekly treatment at Dana-Farber’s Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, and attributes his positive outlook to his wife Shelley, and their two sons, ages 12 and 15.
Meet Candy Oyler
Forty years ago, Candy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and told she had a ten percent chance of survival. Since then she has faced the late effects of cardio toxicity and breast cancer. Although she has lost a leg and undergone a mastectomy, she has gained a wealth of perspective and remains a strong example to us all. “Today the doctors look at your quality of life,” she says. “When I was 14, they were totally focused on removing the cancer.” Candy is now a steadfast support of the Jimmy Fund and its council in Western Massachusetts.
Meet Molly McKenna
Molly was “the prettiest, smartest, strongest, bravest, and hardest working girl in the world.” Despite the state of the art treatment and the hard work of Molly’s team at Dana-Farber, and a valiant effort by Molly, she lost her struggle against a stage IV astrocytoma. The Molly McKenna Magic Wand Fund, part of the Jimmy Fund, is not only dedicated to helping Molly’s doctor, Mark Kieran, MD, and his team at the Pediatric Brain Tumor and Cancer Clinic find a cure for this deadly brain tumor, but is also dedicated to providing hope for other families whose children suffer this diagnosis.
Meet Scott Nigro & Cheryl Simmons
Siblings Scott and Cheryl have both been touched by cancer. Treated in 2011 for thyroid cancer, Scott is now “all good,” a fact he credits to the world class team at Dana-Farber and all the wonderful people he has met along the way. That’s why when his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, he immediately knew where she should go. Cheryl is now under the care of her own team of doctors and fighting a battle Scott believes she will win thanks to the great care throughout.