Doreen was diagnosed with cancer on November 16. She was hospitalized on Nov 22, and had exploratory surgery on Thanksgiving Day. As of November 30 Doreen is still hospitalized at Sinai Hospital (Baltimore), recuperating from a total hysterectomy, a bowel resection, and removal of her spleen. The doctors anticipate that she will require about six months of chemotherapy, which will probably begin in the next 3 weeks.

In addition to these health issues, this has been a difficult year for Doreen financially. As many of you know, she is a beloved day-care provider in the Scaggsville (MD) area, where she has resided for her entire life. Unexpectedly, this school year found her with only a few children enrolled in her home-based program. As a result, her income has been drastically reduced just as she is facing this medical and monetary crisis.

Additionally, Doreen's individual health insurance policy has VERY HIGH co-pays ($7,500) and deductibles ($5,000) and limited benefits. She will have considerable out-of-pocket expenses as a result of her hospitalization, surgery, and upcoming treatments. The initial round of doctor visits and diagnostic testing is already in excess of $10,000. Because this is November, the new calendar year will bring new co-pays and deductibles to be satisfied.

In this season of Giving and Goodwill, we're hoping to ease the financial burden that Doreen and her family are facing, and will continue to face into the New Year. Please join us, and give as generously as possible.

If you would prefer to send a check directly to Doreen, please mark it as "Dollars for Doreen," and mail it to:

Doreen Roberts
10981 Scaggsville Road
Laurel, MD 20723-2030

Thank you.

P.S. You can follow Doreen's progress on her CaringBridge site:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/doreenroberts