LI Woman, 'A Beacon Of Compassion And Kindness,' Battling Colon Cancer

KINGS PARK, NY — The loved ones of a Kings Park woman diagnosed with later stage colon cancer are asking the community for help.

Christie Garrecht, 33, grew up in Northport before moving to Kings Park. Her diagnosis came as a "complete shock" to Gabby Rogala and Pat Long, they wrote on GoFundMe. Garrecht does not have a family history of cancer, and she showed no symptoms before her diagnosis.

"As you might imagine, her resulting treatment has put an incredible strain on her everyday life, her mental and physical health, and her finances," Rogala and Long, who are friends of Garrecht, wrote on GoFundMe.

More than $28K has been raised as of Thursday. People can donate to Garrecht's GoFundMe here.

Garrecht "is a beacon of compassion and kindness in both her personal and professional life," her friends wrote.

She works as an occupational therapist for medically fragile children, including those battling cancer. Her career has been her dream since fourth grade. Before Garrecht's career began, she had worked at camps for children with special needs, undertook dolphin-assisted therapy internships, and visited St. Jude Children's Hospital for her 16th birthday to bring gifts to children.

Garrecht's recent treatment plan has led to severe complications, including near liver failure from her previous medications, Rogala and Long said. Chemotherapy was deemed necessary following multiple professional opinions.

"This change in her treatment will undoubtedly disrupt her life and career even more than it already has over the past year," Rogala and Long wrote.

Garrecht faces significant financial strain as the costs of her treatments are piling up, and her ability to work has been severely impacted, her friends said.

"We believe that no one fighting such a difficult battle should also have to worry about paying bills, including mortgage payments, car payments, and the care of her beloved pets," Rogala and Long stated.

Garrecht said the love and support she has received so far has helped her on a daily basis with her cancer fight.

"It has shown me how I am not alone in this fight, and the support has allowed a load to be lifted off of me as I continue to not be able to work due to treatments," Garrecht told Patch. "My bills are piling up and knowing I not able to work for a few months is very difficult. As hard as it is for me to receive help, because I am used to being the one to help others, I appreciate the love and support from everyone that I have received and continue to receive."

Rogala and Long said any amount of a donation would make a difference in alleviating Garrecht's stress and help her focus on recovery. For those unable to donate, they asked if they could share her campaign with others who might be able to help.

"Christie is truly one of the kindest, most selfless people we know, always giving and never asking for anything in return," Rogala and Long said. "We’re reaching out in the hopes of returning that compassion to her in her time of need. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support."