Brother Seeks Help For Toms River Math Teacher Battling Breast Cancer

TOMS RIVER, NJ — For more than 20 years, Lynne Szablewski has been teaching students at Toms River High School South the ins and outs of math.

Now the Beachwood woman is faced with a much more difficult math, as has been forced to take medical leave after being diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in late August that has spread to her lungs.

"This has come as a complete shock to her and her family as it was discovered during her first-ever mammogram," her brother, Rob Szablewski wrote in a GoFundMe campaign he created to help his sister and her family.

Lynne Szablewski and her husband, Steve Morey, have eight children — six boys and two girls from age 27 to 13 — and they work hard to provide for their family, Rob said.

In addition to teaching, Lynne has been a manager at the Roy Rogers restaurant in Pine Beach for more than 25 years. Steve works multiple jobs as well, and in addition to working and raising their children, the couple also made time to volunteer with the Beachwood Soccer Club, Rob said.

Lynne has run out of sick days, she is responsible for paying for her medical coverage "and eventually for COBRA coverage out of pocket." The loss of her income is significant, her brother wrote. Lynne is trying to supplement it by making hand-tied blankets, in part to keep busy, she wrote in a public post on Facebook.

Lynne’s breast cancer treatments start very soon, Rob Szablewski wrote.

"She needs to stay positive and continue to fight for herself and her family. I know if we all could help with the financial burden, it would be a lot less stressful for her and her family. It will allow her to focus on healing," he wrote. The money raised will help offset the costs of continuing medical coverage, medical bills, travel/food funds for when going to and from treatments and for household expenses during her medical leave.

"Lynne has always worked very hard to support her large family," which includes six boys and two girls who range from 27 years old to 13, her brother wrote. "This is going to be a lifelong fight and she will need our support even though I know she would never ask for help."

For those wishing to help, the GoFundMe campaign can be found here.