Community pulls together for cancer-stricken woman
Kevin Blair married his dream girl in 2012 and the two settled into the home they purchased in Spring Hill with plans for an amazing life together.
Five months later, Hannah, now 29, suffered deep abdominal pain that sent the couple to the ER. Within 24 hours, they were on a journey to save her life.
Daniel, 9, Kevin and Hannah Blair shown in a family photo. Photos courtesy of the Blair family
Hannah was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, a rare diagnosis for someone so young. “And it’s a rare form,” said Kevin, who, in just over a year, has become very focused on Hannah’s recovery. He has a grasp of her condition as if her life depended on it, because in many ways it does.
Kevin described the days that followed Hannah’s diagnosis, his fogged memories of first being told the tumor was probably benign. And then the horror of the biopsy results and the words “the cancer has spread to her liver.”
His mother, Betty, leaned in closer to her son, her eyes pooling with tears she didn’t try to hide. “We never expected it,” she said.
The two handle their emotion differently. Kevin clenches his jaw, maintaining composure. His mother is more free with her tears. But their visible compassion and respect for the other delivers the message that they are in this together. And they realized, as the community learned of Hannah’s story, they were far from alone.
At first, traditional chemotherapy appeared to be working and the family clung to hope. Hannah was reluctant to reach out for help, typical of her independent nature, Kevin said. But the tumor started growing. “She finally admitted she needed help,” he said.
They were told about a clinical trial in Europe with a 95-percent success rate. Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy, according to prrtinfo.org, is a form of molecular-targeted therapy performed by using a small peptide coupled with a radionuclide emitting beta radiation. It is used for the systematic treatment of metastasized neuroendocrine tumors.
Facing her only hope, the family began fundraising for help so Hannah could get the treatment. In the interim, they discovered that PRRT is under a clinical trial at the Excell Diagnostic & Nuclear Oncology Center in Houston.
Hannah would need four to six treatments at a cost of $10,000 each. It is not covered by insurance, and each treatment must be prepaid.
The community rallied behind the Blairs, learning about the treatment and finding inventive ways to help them raise the money needed. They passed out fliers, collected items for a drawing, created a Facebook page and encouraged everyone to share Hannah’s story.
Hannah’s family outside of Florida began a series of efforts to fund Hannah’s first treatment, which she completed last week. But she will need at least three more.
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill joined the fight and will hold a benefit for Hannah on Saturday at their U.S. 19 location, 1320 Commercial Way, from noon until 5 p.m.
The event will have vendors, live bands, raffle drawings, 50/50, and activities for the family, including a bounce house, face painting and appearances by Elsa from “Frozen.” Prizes available are golf certificates, river cruises, dinner shows, artwork and more.
The goal is to fund at least one treatment with money raised during Saturday’s Cancer Relief for Hannah.
To date, Hernando County sponsors include: Rookies Sports Bar & Grill 19, Sir Speedy Printing, Coney Island, Best Buy, Rita’s Ice, Tactical Supply, Little Caesar’s on Cortez, Rocco’s Pizza, Pizza Villa, Campitiello’s Pizza, Westshore Pizza, PJ’s Brick Oven Pizza, Boston Cooker, Sonny’s Bar-B-Q, Luigi’s, Home Depot, Shandi’s Sugar Shack, Spring Hill Lanes, CiCi’s Pizza, Guido’s Pizza, Office Depot, A-1 Hair Design, Artful Possibilities and Sherwood Forest Florist.
At the time of diagnosis, the Blairs wondered how they would get through the challenges. A very tightly bound family, they cling to their faith that Hannah will survive to finish raising her 9-year old son, Daniel.
While preparing for her first treatment last week, Hannah was tired, her body under tremendous stress.
She remembered a time when getting through the day was her most important thought. Now she cherishes every moment.
Knowing how the community is pulling for her was a gift she couldn’t repay. “I can’t believe how many people care about me,” she said.
Betty Blair admitted some days are better than others, but the support the family has received is testimony to the strength of their faith. “We thought we were alone,” she said. “But we’re not.”
“We aren’t beggars, but we are in begging mode,” Betty Blair said. “We have to save our little girl’s life.”
For more information, visit the website at healthforhannah.com and Health for Hannah on Facebook.
