Hi, my name is Cara and I am fundraising for my dear friend, the Goddess of Glass, Theresa Sharp. In her own words, here’s how her story begins:

“Summer of 2023, I noticed a lump in my arm pit. It didn't hurt, it wasn't that large. My only silly thought was, "I hope it doesn't show when I wear a sleeveless top."

I forgot about it, until September when my hand felt a lump on the side of my neck. The same side as the arm pit lump. Shit just got REAL.

There certainly are symptoms for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but the only thing besides the non-painful lumps is that I was starting to notice fatigue in the summer, and by autumn, I would come home from work and sleep on the couch until it was time to go to bed. In fact, I still do have extreme fatigue.

Needle biopsies were inconclusive, so I had surgery to remove both lumps. The neck one was benign, but the arm pit one was malignant.

Non-Hodgkin's Follicular Lymphoma is my diagnosis. Stage 4.

It is not fatal, it is treatable. But it never really goes away. It will reoccur but with my doctor's vigilance, we can treat it before it has a chance to spread again and again.

Right now, it has spread as if someone took cancer confetti and threw it at my body. It is even in 3 of my ribs. It's so sneaky, there is no pain, so I had no idea anything was amiss.

Follicular Lymphoma is a typically slow growing kind of cancer. The doctor said the tangerine-sized malignant lymph node he took out of my arm pit likely had been there for years. However, sometimes this lymphoma can transform to an aggressive growing cancer. There is a large lump in my lower stomach area that has the real potential for becoming aggressive. It's the only thing giving me pain, as it pushes against my ovary.

I have an oncologist at the OSU James Cancer Hospital in Columbus OH whom I trust implicitly. On Friday January 12, I met with my oncologist to discuss the plan of action.

I wore some kick ass boots to prove I mean BUSINESS in kicking this cancer to the curb!!” (Many of the staff recognize her coming in with her pink flowery cowboy boots!)

Since she wrote that, Theresa has been through 6 rounds of chemotherapy, the last of which was May 14th 2024.

Theresa is the Glass Studio Manager at the Ohio Glass Museum and Glassblowing Studio. She is a 1099 employee which means if she is not working she is not getting paid. In fact, it's been 8 months without a steady paycheck. As medical bills and living expenses pile up, Theresa is blowing (pun intended) through her savings. Those savings are now gone and Theresa still is not back to work because of her cancer recovery process.

Theresa is a strong, independent woman and is reluctant to ask for help. I am a pushy social worker and I remind her that there are many people who care about her and want to help her. Help prove me right and support our glassy girl with means to KICK CANCER TO THE CURB!

Please feel free to share this fundraiser far and wide on your social media!

Much love and gratitude,

Theresa and Cara

Bundled up while chemo is administered through the port in my chest. I was always surprised how COLD the drugs made me feel.

"The Red Devil" chemo being administered to me. This is the most toxic of all of the meds I was given during each treatment.

Furry Nurse Dottie encouraged much rest and relaxation for healing.

Furry Nurse Jellybelly knows cuddles are the fast track to health.

Psyched for my final infusion on May 14th. Pretty sweet boots, no?

Sick as a dog, but jubilant to be able to ring the bell after my completion of 6 rounds of chemo!!

Enough hair growth to get a trim on September 4th! How 'bout them apples?