Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect it. For Lance Richardson, that curveball came in the form of a breast cancer diagnosis for the woman he adores, his wife Whitney.

Whitney’s diagnosis began in mid-August when she noticed a lump in her right breast. The next few weeks were filled with tests, biopsies, and scans that revealed the worst: breast cancer. It wasn’t just any diagnosis—it was Stage 3 breast cancer, and it was aggressive.

Whitney’s treatment started with a mastectomy on her right side in September. During the surgery, doctors also discovered that 11 of her lymph nodes were cancerous, which led to a full dissection. But unfortunately that wasn’t the end. A follow-up MRI revealed another tumor in her left breast, which also turned out to be cancerous.

We first heard about Whitney’s courageous fight and the unwavering love of her husband from her best friend, who applied for our Keeping Caregivers Close Grant to help assist the family with the expenses related to traveling to and from medical appointments and the loss of income with Whitney having to miss a lot of work as a Kindergarten teacher. In talking with Lance, he shared, “This has been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. I’ve always considered myself to be a very strong (mind and body) individual, but I’ve never been as mentally challenged in my life as I have been the last few months.” 

Through it all, Lance has been a steadfast caregiver, juggling the needs of their three kids, supporting Whitney through each treatment, and managing everything at home. But even the strongest people need support, and that’s where the Cocktails & Caregivers Keeping Caregivers Close Grant comes in.

The costs of Whitney’s treatments have added up quickly. Whitney’s role as a teacher limits her paid leave, and travel expenses for chemotherapy (which requires trips every other week) and ongoing medical costs are starting to create a financial strain. The family needs help with gas for those long drives, parking fees, and the bills that continue to pile up. Their community has rallied behind them, but the weight of it all can be overwhelming. This grant has helped Whitney and Lance have the peace of mind to focus on what matters most: Whitney’s healing and their family’s well-being.

The Impact of Your Support

Whitney is a fighter. She’s an amazing teacher, mom, and friend, and now we join the fight alongside her. By supporting the Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation, you can help alleviate some of the stress of caregivers like Lance as they dedicate themselves to the well-being of their loved ones. 

Your contributions to Cocktails & Caregivers make a difference. Together, we can help lighten the load and provide the care and support that Lance, Whitney and Easton, Archie, and Wren need to allow them to focus on what truly matters. cocktailsandcaregivers.org/donate