West Haven Woman Battles Rare Cancer, Community Rallies Support

WEST HAVEN, CT — The community is rallying around a West Haven woman battling a rare form of cancer.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in support of Aprile (Levatino) Johnson, a longtime community member who is described as being “a beacon of support, always volunteering and raising funds for those in need.”

Denise Van Hise-Poe created the fundraising campaign, titled “Support Aprile's Fight Against Rare Cancer.”

“A true Westie from the class of ’91, Aprile bravely faced a diagnosis of brain cancer at just 21, undergoing surgery to remove a tumor,” Van Hise-Poe wrote on the GoFundMe page. “I’ve had the privilege of being friends with her since 4th grade and witnessed the beautiful love story she shares with her husband, Rick. They met in high school and have been married for 31 years, raising four grown children together.

“Since the day they wed, they have been shouldering the burden of her substantial medical expenses, especially after her health insurance denied coverage for her brain surgery. It’s an overwhelming challenge for anyone to face. I can't recall a time when Aprile has been fully healthy; following her brain tumor removal, she was diagnosed with epilepsy and has required chemotherapy treatments for years.”

Van Hise-Poe wrote that Johnson is now “confronting yet another battle, having recently been diagnosed with a rare cancer that has resulted in a tumor occupying her entire abdomen.”

“She will soon begin treatment at Sloan Kettering Memorial, but this fight brings additional financial stress, as Rick will be the sole provider for their family while she takes a leave of absence from her job,” Van Hise-Poe wrote. “This rare cancer may necessitate a risky surgery and ongoing treatments of both chemotherapy and radiation. Additionally, her twin daughters, who are in college, are still living at home.”

The GoFundMe campaign aims to “alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with her treatment,” according to Van Hise-Poe.

“Throughout her life, Aprile has been a beacon of support, always volunteering and raising funds for those in need,” she wrote.

Nearly $3,700 has been raised within the first five days of the campaign.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.