‘Hat parade’ elevating funds for Fort Dodge lady with most cancers | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

By Mitch Rapp On Feb 17, 2021

– Submitted photo

Fort Dodge’s Deb Halligan is battling breast cancer for the second time since 2016. To help Halligan with the treatment costs, her sister Shelley Jensen organized a virtual fundraising campaign for “hat parades” on Facebook this week.

Four years after being diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer, Deb Halligan believed she had overcome the disease.

The Fort Dodge woman had received the terrible news of her initial diagnosis after her birthday in 2016. She then spent a full year in treatment and three more years in drug therapy.

But last year, persistent hip pain led to multiple doctor appointments and tests that showed the breast cancer had metastasized to six sites in Halligan’s bones.

To cover the costs of Halligan’s chemotherapy, Halligan’s sister Shelley Jensen set up a virtual organization “Hat parade” Fundraiser on Facebook this week, which also happens to be Halligan’s birthday week.

“We wanted to do something to help her with the high cost of her deductible.” Said Jensen.

The “Hat parade” is also supposed to lift Halligans mood and show their support Supporters are asked to share their good wishes and photos of themselves, their children, or their pets with hats.

“Her hair never grew back (after her first battle with cancer), so she always wears hats.” Jensen said ..

The Facebook event, where support notes and photos can be shared in hats, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1119847251798683.

Halligan has continued to work as a receptionist at Central Iowa Eye Care through her struggles with cancer.

Jensen said the goal of the fundraiser is to reach the $ 6,500 mark to cover Halligans for the year deductible insurance coverage.

“I’m not sure we’ll get to that, but anything we could get to bring us closer would certainly help.” Said Jensen.

Donations can be sent to:

Deb Halligan, PO Box 593, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

Or can be sent to @ Deb-Halligan-1 via the Venmo app.