Community Corner

Hometown Rallies For Young Woman Whose Cancer Is Back

"Followed by a grueling year of chemo and radiation treatments, she was finally in remission — until recently."

(GoFundMe.)

RIVERHEAD, NY — She may be living miles from Riverhead but a young woman facing a reoccurrence of cancer has her hometown just a heartbeat way.

A GoFundMe page, "Help For Reilly," has been created by Tracey Penny Densieski. "We are once again asking this amazing community to come together and help one of our own," Densieski wrote.

Reilly Butler, 24, was first diagnosed with a rare childhood brain cancer called pineoblastoma at 21, while she was attending college at the University of Kentucky.

Find out what's happening in Riverheadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Reilly underwent brain surgery where the tumor was removed. Followed by a grueling year of chemo and radiation treatments, she was finally in remission . . . until recently," Densieski said. "Unfortunately, Reilly started not feeling well and was told the devastating news that her cancer had returned, but is now on her spinal cord."

Reilly lives in Florida now, and her family is flying back and forth to be at her side; she has begun treatment again, and will travel to New York City during treatment to be a part of a clinical trial that "with hope and prayer, will send her closer to a cure," Densieski said. "Unfortunately, she has seen the financial hits that cancer comes with and knows firsthand it is going to be difficult for her to keep up with the mounting bills."

Find out what's happening in Riverheadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

So, Densieski wrote, family friends are asking the community to come together again for help and prayers.

"If you can help, we want to thank you from the bottom of of our hearts. Absolutely no amount is too small. And please just say prayers for the Butler family that they keep their strength and faith through this most difficult time," she added.

To donate, click here.

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