Mom of four Jennifer Stormont was planning to attend nursing school at Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) this fall, but the local health care worker's life was suddenly turned upside down by a breast cancer diagnosis this past summer.
Stormont's mom, Bonnie Gonzalez, is now trying to raise money for her daughter to ease the financial burden on the family that is caused by both the loss of income and medical bills. She will host this coming December 1 a benefit for her daughter at The D.A.N.K., which is located at 2651 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.
Gonzalez, who also works in a local oncology unit, told WSJM that the hard thing for her is that her daughter's grandmother also passed away from cancer. She added that she just did not think it would be hitting home and she is just trying to figure out what she can do besides emotionally supporting her.
Family standing strong for Stormont
Stormont has previously worked at Spectrum Health Lakeland. The St. Joseph native currently works at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and is aspiring to work in forensic nursing in the future. Stormont lives in Buchanan with her husband and two of her sons, aged 15 and 7.
Gonzalez said that they are just trying to get through day by day. She added that Stormont's seven-year-old boy just emotionally does not understand what is happening right now, but he is worried about his mom. She said that they are all banding together to do whatever they can for Stormont.
According to Gonzalez, her daughter has had a double mastectomy, has been hospitalized due to sepsis, neutropenia, and rhinovirus, and has received two of six chemotherapy treatments. Neutropenia happens when a person has too few neutrophils, which is a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections.
Gonzalez said that every time her daughter has chemo, her numbers drop so she can't really be around anybody. She added that it is hard and the kids are not able to have people over because they don't want their mother getting sick.
Stormont planning to go to SMC's nursing program
According to Gonzalez, as soon as Stormont's chemo is over, she is planning on having reconstructive surgery and then she will go back to work. She said that her daughter plans to go into the nursing program at SMC and they have already saved a spot for her next year.
There will be a 50/50 raffle at the benefit as well as food, door prizes, and a cash bar. There will also be a silent auction at the event featuring a Greenbush Brewing items, local art, a refrigerator, and a Chicago Bears Gift Basket.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Those people who are unable to attend can donate to the GoFundMe page that was set up for Stormont. All donations will be used for her medical expenses.
