Monthly Donation - Kelsey Sorensen Fighting Brain Cancer
Each month Stubbs Dental donates the proceeds of all new patient exams to a deserving member or organization of our community. June's recipient is Kelsey Sorensen.
Kelsey and Dustin Sorensen should be enjoying a summer of bike rides, walks and jumping on the trampoline with their two little boys.
Instead, they face a summer — and beyond — of treatments.
Kelsey — a 29-year-old mother of two adorable boys, 5-year-old Fin and 2-year-old Leo — has recently received the heartbreaking diagnosis of a Grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. There is no cure.
To say the Sorensens have been through the wringer this year is an understatement. From Leo’s autism diagnosis in October to discovering Kelsey’s brain cancer in June, their lives have changed in the last year in ways they scarcely could have imagined, and their most recent roadblock is one you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, let alone a family of loving, honest, kind, caring individuals.
Kelsey’s story
Just a few weeks ago, Kelsey was living what seemed a busy, but normal, life as the wonderful wife and mother she is: finishing up Fin’s last year of preschool, coordinating Leo’s autism intervention treatments, serving in her congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, working part-time as a medical transcriptionist, parenting and loving her boys and enjoying her life with her dedicated and hard-working husband, Dustin.
And all that changed in the blink of an eye.
Kelsey began experiencing severe headaches in April and visited her primary care physician, who thought the headaches may have been allergy related. However, the headaches persisted and Dustin and Kelsey received promptings to have her see a neurologist.
She met with the neurologist the last week in May who, after seeing a bulge while looking in her eyes, instructed her to get an MRI as soon as possible. By the next day, the Sorensens found out Kelsey had a 1-by-2-inch brain tumor — which she good-naturedly named Chester — that needed to be removed. Chester was “evicted” the first week in June and sent to pathology. The surgery went well and the doctor felt like they had gotten a good margin on the tumor, but a week later, the news came: a Grade 4 Glioblastoma.
The Sorensens
If you’re reading this and know the Sorensens personally, you know them by their works. If you don’t know them, let us tell you a bit about them.
Both Kelsey and Dustin are shy and quiet people, but you better believe they’d do anything they could to help someone in need. They’re the type of people who take dinner to you when you’re sick, help you unload your moving truck and babysit your kids at the drop of a hat, all without any sort of expectation of receiving anything in return.
Dustin works as a graphic designer and has an impeccable eye for the details. His perfectionism makes his work shine and makes him an all-star employee. When he’s not at work, you’ll find Dustin mowing the lawn, working around the house or playing in the backyard with Fin and Leo.
Kelsey worked as an elementary school teacher until she became a mother — her true dream job. She works her tail off teaching Fin and Leo not only things like their ABC’s and how to read, but how to be confident, kind individuals. Since Leo’s autism diagnosis in October, both she and Dustin work tirelessly researching how to best help Leo through various therapies, and he’s made outstanding progress in the past few months, thanks to the dedication of his parents.
In short, the Sorensens are some of the most unassuming, nicest people you’ll ever meet — the type of people you hope only the best in life for.
Your help
Take a look at Kelsey’s social media feeds since this terrible ordeal began and you’ll see an inspiring level of optimism and faith.
Kelsey’s diagnosis is obviously devastating news, yet in true Kelsey fashion as the remarkable wife and mother she is, Kelsey’s concern over the unpleasant health journey ahead pales in comparison to her concern for her husband and children.
Stubbs Dental was able to donate $2,055 to help Kelsey with her treatments and recovery. If you are interested in donating to Kelsey's fund please visit her Go Fund Me page.
So remember, when you become a patient at Stubbs Dental not only are you helping yourself by taking care of your teeth, you are helping a deserving member of your local community! If you would like to nominate someone to receive the Stubbs Dental donation please send an email to marketing@stubbsdental.com.
