Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Arianne McAllister

This sweet precious Mama from the East Coast is our latest and greatest grant recipient.
Arianne is 36 years old and a mom of a four year old boy.

She had been misdiagnosed for over 3 years before she was finally diagnosed with colon cancer in November of 2013. At the time of her diagnosis with a CT scan, they found a tumor in her colon and 9 spots that had already spread to her liver.

Arianne began chemotherapy after she was diagnosed last Fall. She had to stop treatment this Spring in order to take care of some surgeries and necessary procedures. She is scheduled to begin chemo again in late October. 

This incredible woman is attempting to restart her life. She's wanting to start over, especially for her son. MMCCF was able to help her out with one month's rent and down payments for her utilizes for her new apartment.

We are thinking and praying for you forever friend as you encroach upon treatment again!

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Karena Barton

Meet this sweet and spunky East Coaster, Karena!

"This is a picture of me trying on my new wig & styling it for first time. Not bad looking as a red head. Surprising what a curling iron & make up can do. Brought a cancer patient back to life!" -Karena

Karena is a 39 year old Maryland resident diagnosed with rectal cancer. She was originally diagnosed in April 2012 with stage 3 rectal cancer after a long battle with stomach issues. She passed her symptoms off as stomach bug because she was cramping and continually running to the bathroom over the winter. When her symptoms didn't subsided after the season, she was sent home from work to go to the doctor due to blood in her stools in March 2012.  Her doctor thought it could be menstrual issues and prescribed her ibuprofen. Her symptoms continued to worsen... she was given the opportunity to have a colonoscopy but her doctor didn't want to burden her with the bill but told Karena to come back if her symptoms got worse. (Karena originally had avoided the doctor to the financial burdens... but now she is SO proactive about her health and others; she would tell anyone now - "Don't wait! Go to the doctor!") 

Well, they got worse. She told her mom "I am dying!" She went back a few weeks later and was diagnosed on April 25 through a colonoscopy.  She immediately started chemotherapy and radiation. Later, Karena had to have surgery for an ostomy. They ended up having to do TWO ostomies on her. She was so sick this first year, she got down to 95 pounds. 

She had a PET scan and CT scan done this year which revealed 2 spots, one on each lung. These spots at metastasized from her original cancer. For which she had a thoracotomy on June 3rd 2014, where they removed half of her left lung. She has just restarted chemotherapy to try and shrink the other lung tumor and may have to have surgery to remove it. 


Through all of this, Karena has been an incredible mom of 2 boys! Her and her husband work to care for a 12 year old and a 16 year old with Asperger's. The boys have been helpful but also challenging in this time of her life. They are able to have outlets through karate and programming at the YMCA. 

Karena still is trying to work part time but it can be very difficult for her. MMCCF was able to grant Karena and her family, one month of their mortgage, one month of electricity, and a gift card for gas to get her to her multiple appointments and chemotherapy treatments! Karena had said, "The grant will help me continue to live!" 

"Share my story... if one more life gets saved from this horrible disease, it will all be worthwhile! Thanks Meredith's Miracles for all you do! Love, Karena"

Miralces in the Making: Grant Recipient Stacey Aragon

Learn a little bit about Stacey! 

She is a 36 year old living in Michigan.  She was first diagnosed with colon cancer when she was 28 and was re-diagnosed with Stage 3 in May 2013. She also has a history of anemia and health problems related to that. Due to her health issues, she is unable to work.

Here is a sweet letter from Stacey...

"Last Spring, it was confirmed that my colon cancer had returned.  I was rushed to get a blood transfusion, shortly after which I had medi-port placement surgery in my chest.  Within the mere days that followed, I also started chemotherapy at the local cancer center, and continuous pump infusions at home.  I had too many doctors appointments to count.  And, I spent most of my time in-between treatments recovering from chemo and its side-effects.  I was far too weak and in way too much pain to be able to work, and my husband couldn't find a potential employer willing to work around my medical schedule. 


We were already in debt from my original diagnosis.  So, it has become an even greater challenge just getting by day-to-day.  We've had to borrow more money and use more credit, to eat, pay bills, fuel our car, cover insurance, and so on.  But, after an especially rough few months, we weren't sure how we were going to be able to afford groceries or car insurance after the bills were paid.  It was going to take a miracle to pull us through, and then ~ the miraculous happened!  Meredith's Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation called me to let us know that I would be receiving a grant, which would help us pay for one month of rent and utilities plus two months of car insurance...something that, we'll be forever grateful for.  Thank you for granting us a miracle, helping us pull through, and reminding us why it's so important not to give up hope <3
-Stacey A."

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Cassandra Hodgen

Meet our northern friend Cassie Hodgden!

Cassie is a 36 year old wife and mother living in Minnesota.  Her family has relocated from the city to the country to be closer to her mother and in-laws so she can have help with her children. She has 3 children of her own and 4 step-children.  What a strong woman! Cassie's sister was diagnosed with colon cancer and found out that it was genetic. Cassie went through testing for colon cancer since her sister had been diagnosed, which is how she discovered that she herself  had colon cancer. Cassie had no symptoms of her own but was being proactive for her health since her sister had been diagnosed! We love that about Cassie! Many lives can be saved from colon cancer if we encourage our family members to get screened!

Since being diagnosed with colon cancer, she had her entire colon removed. She ended up having to be hospitalized for 2 weeks due to complications. Cassie has also been diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, which is a heredity disorder that leads to increased risk of developing many types of cancer.  Cassie has to travel 2 hours to her doctor appointments in the city multiple times per month. She is thankful that she is still able to work as a photographer but she is working to build a new client base out in the country of Minnesota.

What beautiful babies!!!

Another fun fact that MMCCF just adores about Cassie is that she suggested that our grant recipients have a community where they can connect with others just like them! With her encouragement, we just started a new facebook group for specifically OUR MMCCF grant recipients to connect, encourage, and grow with each other! We hope that this may benefit our MMCCF friends! <3 Thank you Cassie!!

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Marcie Wiley

Y'all meet this precious woman, Marcie.

Marcie started to have some troubles with her bowels. Her doctor found that she had several hemorrhoids. While Marcie was in surgery to remove these hemorrhoids, the surgeon found that her condition was much more serious than originally anticipated. She was diagnosed with colon cancer and started treatment immediately.

As Marcie battles her colon cancer diagnosis and undergoes treatment, she is living away from her family, who live in a different state. She is unable to work at this time due to her treatment schedule. Marcie has been through the grind to find organizations who can help her and she found Meredith's Miracles. We were able to help her out with one month of rent and one month of her car payment to help her battle seem just a slight bit easier!

Blessings to you Marcie! Keep on pushing on!