Deb Richardson is a 63-year-old patient with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer. She was diagnosed at the age of 62. She has undergone extensive chemotherapy and now is on palliative treatment. She is married, the mother of 2 adult sons and 2 grandchildren 7 and 9. She has lived in rural Maine her whole life grew up in the town of Brownfield and now lives in the adjoining town of Denmark. She worked as a CNA home health aide for most of her career and was working at a convenient store at the time of diagnosis.
Both Deb and her husband Phil are active in the community. Deb’s father-in-law started the children’s fishing derby in town and Deb and Phil have continued to hold it yearly to benefit the Denmark Lions. Phil is part of the Denmark Fire Department and Deb stated she is not, but I know she gives ongoing support to the Department in a variety of ways. One way was driving one of the trucks in an ice storm to a home fully engulfed and they did not have enough crew to go get it. Deb may not officially be part of multiple groups in the community, but she is often seen lending a hand when needed.
When talking with Deb about bucket list items due to having serious aggressive cancer, she stated she always dreamed of a beach vacation. Her friends investigated beach vacations in Maine and found a unit 90 feet from the beach, as walking any distance causes her to get very winded.
Deb has remained upbeat and kept a positive attitude throughout this journey. She plans to make things for her family and record some videos for her grandkids. Her biggest wish is to make some memories with family in the time she has left going to where she has always dreamed about, the beach!
The foundation has granted their wish and Deb’s family will spend 7 nights at Old Orchard Beach in Maine.
