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The fundraising effort began after 18-year-old Andrea Wright, the daughter of retired Peekskill Police Officer Andre Wright, was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer in her uterus after experiencing severe pain in her stomach.
Because the cancer was aggressive and rapidly spreading, Wright was taken to Montefiore Medical Center in New York City and scheduled for emergency surgery, during which a tumor the size of a baby was removed. Her cancer was then upgraded to stage 3.
Since her diagnosis and first surgery, Wright has undergone two more surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy. She has also agreed to participate in a treatment study due to the rarity of her cancer, which is found in only 8 percent of the female population between the ages of 8 and 25.
Although she is putting up a brave fight, it has put financial stress on her family. To help with this, a Fund the First fundraiser was created in late May 2024 to collect donations and assist the family with their rising medical bills.
As of Tuesday, July 2, the fundraiser had collected over $8,000 out of a $15,000 goal.
According to the fundraiser, Wright continues to put up a good fight and is a "fearless trooper" as quoted by her father, who is well-known in the Peekskill community as a former school resource officer who helped run countless events in the city.
"While his daughter has been doing amazing, and is a fighter like her father, the family has had its struggles," said the Peekskill Police Department in a post on social media on Tuesday, July 2 about the fundraising effort, adding that "every little bit helps."
Those interested in donating can do so by clicking here.
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