Meet Courtney Lin Makinen, a 24-year-old from Oconomowoc, WI with Ewing Sarcoma. Courtney has had a long road. She was first diagnosed back in 2018 at the age of 20. Unfortunately the cancer metastasized and took over much of her body, with a volleyball-sized tumor in her stomach, along with cancer in her lungs, arm, and back. After 14 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, as well as major surgery, she went into remission and remained cancer-free for nearly 2 years. In August of 2021 she relapsed, but the cancer was found only in her sacrum. She is hopeful that with some additional chemotherapy and a potential stem cell transplant, she will get back to being in complete remission once again.

As a result of her diagnosis and treatment, Courtney had to take significant cuts in her hours at work, less than half of what she normally does which has been a significant financial loss. Affording basic needs such as car payments, gas, groceries, and a cell phone bill are a real struggle. Fortunately, Courtney’s social worker at the  Children’s Wisconsin Hospital referred her story to us, and we were able to help her significantly with some of these costs.

Thank you Courtney for allowing us to share your story, and we sincerely wish you the quickest possible recovery!!