Despite Her Own Daughter's Struggles, Canton Woman Steps Up to Help Another Family in Crisis

Despite her daughter Eden’s continuing ordeal with a brain tumor Deirdre Lloyd quickly initiated a fundraiser for another Canton family once she heard of their struggle.  

In April of 2013, breast cancer survivor Nancy Richard, the mother of 5 including Brian, one of Eden’s classmates, was diagnosed with two cancerous brain tumors. She has not been home since the diagnosis as she undergoes medical procedures and rehabilitation.  

It was January of 2012 when doctors successfully removed a tumor from Eden’s brain. Sadly an MRI in August of 2012 showed new growth and Eden is in her eighth month of chemotherapy and has 7 to go, Lloyd said.  
Lloyd’s daughter, husband David and her other two children also have a long road ahead. 

With Richard’s diagnosis, two families with preschoolers in a small class of kids at Cherry Brook Primary School are now dealing with a similar illness. It was one of the factors that motivated Lloyd to help the Richard family.  

“The preschool moms were just so worried,” Lloyd said. “I think they really felt the double whammy of this.”  

While both families have a network of friends and family that have been there for meals, childcare, rides and more, Lloyd knows first-hand how hard it can be to deal with it all, including from a financial standpoint.  

“Our eyes are so completely open at this point to what kind of hardships fall on families with cancer,” Lloyd said.    

So Lloyd came up with the idea for a spinning (stationary bicycle) fundraiser, inspired by her friend Suzi Moraski, an instructor who has organized similar events for the livestrong program at the Farmington Valley YMCA. She also immediately thought of Jen Marchione, who owns Frequency Fitness in Canton, where Lloyd frequents.    

It didn’t take long for a fundraising date to be set for Spin for Nancy, which will take place June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon.  

Andrea Tulley and Jenn Almeida, who also have children in the same class as Brian and Eden, are co-organizing the event and Bagel Chalet owner Jessica Leonard is providing free food for participants.  

While residents can just donate to the cause or volunteer for the event, the main concept is for riders or a team of riders to sponsor a bike for $100 per hour.  

Already 40 of the 60 “hours” are booked and numerous other residents have sent donations.  

“The response has been incredible,” Lloyd said. “It lifted me in ways I never expected - to see that human spirit,” Lloyd said.  

To see full event details and how you can help, click here. https://sites.google.com/site/nancyspinningbenefit/