Ranjan Family Fundraiser Supports Breast Cancer: Leptomeningeal Disease

Dear Friends and Family,

On August 25, 2023, beloved wife and mom, Kushum, lost her courageous battle with breast cancer. Her passing has left an immense void in our lives, yet her memory and unwavering spirit continue to inspire us daily. 

In honor of our mom’s memory and her remarkable strength throughout her journey with cancer, we are organizing a memorial fundraiser. This event not only celebrates her life but also aims to raise funds for leptomeningeal disease research, a condition she faced with bravery and resilience.

In April 2013, my dad, sister, and I first heard the news of our mom's diagnosis with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Despite the challenges, she faced it head-on with chemotherapy and radiation, achieving nine and half years of living cancer-free. However, in October 2022, the cancer returned aggressively as Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. She continued her fight with treatments at Northwestern Medicine, but as her condition worsened, she bravely persevered even when chemotherapy became no longer viable. In April 2023, she was diagnosed with a rare disease called leptomeningeal disease, presenting a new and formidable challenge in her journey. We were informed that there are currently no treatments available for this disease, and the prognosis was devastatingly brief. Hearing this news was heart-wrenching, and it felt like our world was crumbling. Despite her unwavering strength and determination, her health declined rapidly. With heavy hearts, we lost her on August 25, 2023. Throughout her battle, she showed incredible courage and resilience, inspiring all who knew her. 

Your donations will make a tangible difference by funding critical research initiatives aimed at understanding and treating this complex disease. By supporting Northwestern Medicine, you are helping to enhance patient care and potentially improve outcomes for others facing similar challenges.

Every contribution, no matter the size, goes directly to Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine and Lurie Cancer Center for leptomeningeal research to help us honor our mother's legacy. 

Thank you for keeping our mom's memory alive through your generosity and support. Your donations mean the world to us and will make a lasting impact.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ranjan Family