Three North Bend sisters are facing a battle that no family expects. Jennifer, Stacey, and Kellie, three of four siblings raised in the Snoqualmie Valley, have all received cancer diagnoses within months of each other, launching their tight-knit family into a whirlwind of surgeries, treatment plans, and support efforts.
Jennifer was diagnosed in mid-May with DCIS, or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, a non-invasive Stage 0 breast cancer. She is scheduled for a double mastectomy on August 13, a procedure that is expected to fully resolve her condition. A longtime manager at Lumen and mother of two adult sons, Jennifer is maintaining her usual positive outlook, taking a ‘go with the flow’ approach and refusing to let the diagnosis diminish her happiness.
With the help of her husband and sons, she’s juggling treatment, work, and home life while advocating for early detection and flexible care for working mothers.
Stacey’s diagnosis came in December 2024 and was more severe: aggressive Stage 3 IDC breast cancer. After five months of chemotherapy, she’s now preparing for a double mastectomy with axillary lymph node removal on August 28, followed by six weeks of daily radiation.
Known for her generosity and quiet strength, Stacey has always hosted family holidays and taken care of everyone else. That hasn’t changed, even as she’s faced this diagnosis and the recent end of her long-time contract job in pharmaceutical marketing. Now navigating treatment without health insurance, she’s looking toward the future, planning to job hunt again once radiation is complete.
Kellie, the third sister to be diagnosed, previously beat breast cancer in 2012. In June, she learned she has Stage 2b melanoma. She recently underwent a lymph node biopsy and additional skin removal from her leg and is now awaiting results. The procedure has temporarily left her immobile and out of work, but her attitude remains grounded and clear-eyed. A mother of five and Director of Programs at Reclaim, a local nonprofit that supports unhoused neighbors, Kellie’s life is defined by compassion and connection. “She’s fearless in her pursuit of happiness, not just for herself, but for everyone she cares about,” said her longtime partner Tim Lanigan.
Together, the three sisters form a deeply bonded unit, made even closer by the shared experience of illness. “I think the most important thing for people to know is that we’re a team,” Jennifer said. “This isn’t just one person’s battle; we’re all in this together.”
The triple diagnosis has placed serious logistical and emotional strain on the family. Kellie is recovering at home while coordinating care for children with special needs. Jennifer is balancing a demanding job with medical appointments. Stacey is coping with the loss of her job, the physical toll of treatment, and the uncertainty of insurance coverage as a single homeowner without a safety net.
Despite it all, they are choosing optimism, and they’re not alone. The community has stepped up with meals, messages, and a growing wave of donations. A GoFundMe launched by friends and family has raised over $9,700 to date, with donations going toward medical costs, travel, and family support.
The idea for the fundraiser originally stemmed from Kellie’s concern for Stacey’s financial vulnerability after losing her job, and has since grown into a broader source of comfort and relief for all three.
The sisters’ story, now circulating widely thanks to the support of friends like Jennifer Kirk, Executive Director of Reclaim, is also a call to action. In the words of their fundraiser, “Don’t wait. Get checked.”
All three sisters tested negative for the BRCA gene but were still diagnosed, highlighting the importance of regular screenings. The family hopes their experience will remind others to prioritize breast exams, skin checks, and proactive conversations with doctors, even when life gets busy.
“Sometimes, simply being present as an ear to listen or arms to hug during tough moments is the most powerful form of support,” said Lanigan. That belief, that presence and connection matter most, has guided the sisters through heartbreak before, including the loss of their oldest sister LeAnn in 2017, and it’s guiding them now.
To learn more or donate, visit the GoFundMe page: Callies Cancer Cubed Coalition (Sisters Unite).
