Community to Rally Wednesday for Local Woman Battling Breast Cancer

EAST HAMPTON, NY - The love of a small town will make a big difference in the life of one local woman battling cancer.

When Kate Bicknell Grant learned that her close friend Monica Walter, of East Hampton, had been diagnosed with breast cancer, she sprang into action.

Not only did she create a GoFundMe page, “Motivate Monica to Beat Cancer” — the page has raised $13,730 of its $15,000 goal — but she and others also planned a fundraiser to help.

The "We Got This" Walter family fundraiser will be held at Inlet Seafood, 541 East Lake Drive, in Montauk on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40 per person; the event includes a buffet, cash bar, raffle and prizes.

Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) Jason Walter, now retired, and the United States Coast Guard Station Montauk were honored at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Harbor Dinner last June. Ret. SCPO Walter headed the US Coast Guard Station Montauk from 2010 to 2015, and served as executive petty officer to the Ridley in Montauk from 2004 to 2006. He now works as the director of maintenance for the Montauk Lighthouse.

This January, his wife Monica, 40, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, HER2-Positive. The Walters live in Springs with their two school-aged children.

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 which promotes the growth of cancer cells, the GoFundMe page said.

In about one out of every five breast cancers, the cancer cells have a gene mutation that makes an excess of the HER2 protein, “which is a very aggressive mutant gene that has encouraged her cancer to grow. In only three and half months her has cancer has grown 3 cm. She is devastated and as you can imagine her family and friends are shocked and saddened, the GoFundMe page reads.

But the goal is to remain positive.

“We have been friends for the past five years and I am asking for your help in motivating and inspiring her though this journey to recovery. Not only does she inspire me every day; she encourages me to shine and be the best I can, also reminding me how strong I am and anything is possible. This is exactly the motivation she will need during the upcoming year that it will take to complete her treatment.”

Walter, her friend said, “is truly is the most caring and wonderful friend and mother to her two beautiful children Kate, 14, and Luke, 12, and an amazing wife to her husband of 20 years, Jason. I feel abundantly grateful to have her as a friend. We have shared many ups and downs and I want this to just be another hurdle we overcome together. “

After finding an unusual lump in her breast almost two months ago, Walter had her first mammogram at Southampton Hospital, Grant said.

“Of course, she was not expecting the news she got that day. From that very afternoon her world has gone from very normal — looking forward to her 40th birthday and Christmas— to the realization that on New Year’s Eve she would be getting a port surgically implanted in her chest to receive her first phase of 16 weeks of chemotherapy.”

She began chemo on January 6, followed by surgery and then, six weeks of radiation and intravenous steroids lasting a full year. “That’s a lots of information for her to absorb in a few weeks,” Grant said. “As if losing her beautiful hair and diminishing her health wasn’t bad enough, she found out that her Insurance wasn’t going to cover all her expenses.”

Grant explained that in June, Walter and Jason were excited that he was about to retire from the United States Coast Guard after 20 years of dedicated service.

“They were happy to start a new life out of the military and have more time to spend together as a family. Jason, being the caring and responsible husband he is, believed he was signing up for the same insurance they always had with no out of pocket expenses, but already they are quick to realize that with this type of illness comes a lot of tests and services that are not covered.”

The family is now faced with deductibles, co-pays and other staggering out of pocket expenses, Grant said.

The first of many tests not covered is genetic BRCA testing, a blood test to check for specific changes or mutations in genes that help control normal cell growth, Grant said. Finding changes in these genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2, can help determine the chance of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, she said.

“It’s important for Monica to know the result of this test, to prepare for either a double mastectomy or a lumpectomy. Of course this would allow peace of mind for her, should she know what surgery she will be facing after her chemotherapy treatment . But since this is not a covered service, she now has to wait until she’s able to afford it . I would love for this to be the first issue we solve and raise the funds and get this test done,” she wrote.

Above all, Grant hopes to keep her friend’s spirits up.

“Monica is obviously worried about her family and how they will cope during this time. I know she is trying to be strong and fearless but I can see she is worried and scared,” she wrote. ”I would like to allow her to receive the best treatment and be as stress free as possible during her recovery. Knowing the healthcare system. I can only imagine this will not be so simple, so please help me help her have a smooth and positive road to recovery. My goal is to keep Monica motivated and happy and smiling throughout this upcoming year. Her laughter is contagious.”

Most recently, Walter has undergone her third round of chemo. ”I am so proud of her courage and humility. Keep it up, girl,” Grant wrote “My message is for everyone to keep her motivated."

Reflecting on learning of her friend’s illness, she said, “When you care about someone so much, and it happens so quickly, you’re not prepared for it.”

But Grant says Walter is determined to stand strong and face the battle, ever grateful for the outpouring of support. “Our most important thing is, every time someone donates, we say we can’t wait until we can give back.”

Grant said Walter takes great joy in the loving words of support found in messages on the GoFundMe page.

Together, those who love Walter are focusing on emerging victorious from the battle. “This is not going to define her,” Grant said.

"My family is completely overwhelmed by the love and support from my friends, family and the community, and we are so happy to have chosen the East End to call home. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 6th," Walter said.

To donate, click here.

Tickets to the event, and raffle tickets, $1 each; 6 for $5, are being sold outside of the Montauk Post Office as weather permits this week.. Tickets to the event are also available at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, and Springs Pizza, 841 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, and will be available at the door.For more information, or to donate a raffle prize, please contact: Bonnie Brady 516-527-3099 cell, or 631-668-7654 home, or Johnson Nordlinger 631-561-9366, cell, or 631-238-5146, home.