Peabody brothers seek public’s help for mom battling cancer

PEABODY – Two young brothers from Peabody are on a mission and need the community’s help – they’d like their mother to beat breast cancer for the second time.”Three years ago, our mother was diagnosed with the mutant BRCA-1 gene and triple negative breast cancer, which is rare,” wrote Trevor, 13, and his younger brother Devon, 10, in a letter they personally posted throughout the city. “She’s a very strong, kind, and loving person, and she always has a smile on her face.”Their mother, Brenda Stoey Forsythe, was cancer-free for almost a year when she learned on Feb. 12, her birthday, that the dreadful disease had come back. Only 15 percent of breast cancer patients experience this rare, hereditary form, making the task of finding successful treatment a daunting one.”This time, I’m at stage 4, so it’s a lot different,” said the once-cancer survivor. “I’m being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital, where I’m undergoing a clinical trial. Hopefully this works, if not, we’ll just have to take another step.”The next step for Forsythe would be seeking alternative medicine elsewhere in the country or perhaps even Germany. She found out about such unique treatments through several extensive searches on the Internet and with the help of a cousin currently living there.The cost for such variations of foreign treatment, not covered by her insurance plan, could range anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, Forsythe said.To help reduce the personal cost, her sons took it upon themselves, with some help from their grandmother Linda Stoey, to post flyers throughout downtown business windows and ask for donations. They’ve also organized a fundraising event at the Elks Lodge on Oak Street for Aug. 30.Tickets cost $25 and have almost sold out, said the Forsythes. However, they are still accepting donated items, such as food, baskets, and gift certificates, for the raffle. The night will feature dinner and music.An account has also been set up for the family at Eastern Bank in Salem. Those wishing to donate can send a check payable to The Brenda Forsyth Fund to Eastern Bank, 6 Traders Way, Salem, MA 01970, Attn: Amy Pasquarelli, Assistant Branch Manager.”The response has been really good,” said Forsythe. “People have been really wonderful.”Although this is her second bout with the disease, Forsythe said she’s feeling good and keeping positive. Her boys are, too.”We are feeling very good about this new trial, and hope this one will work,” they said. The family will know in the next month whether seeking alternative medicine will be necessary.Supporters may contact Linda Stoey at 978-531-7164 for more information on ways to help.