Massachusetts Fundraiser Helps Families Fight Pet Cancer Costs

Luna’s Love is helping people find hope during difficult moments by bringing community members together to raise money that supports pets with cancer.

Navigating cancer treatment options for a pet while experiencing the emotions that come along with such a diagnosis can be overwhelming. Luna’s Love hopes to help more families feel less alone as they face difficult decisions and costly treatment options.

The Moment Luna’s Diagnosis Changed Everything

Micaela Phinney recalled the moment she learned that her dog Luna had cancer.

“I was in shock when we got Luna’s diagnosis,” Phinney said. “I felt lost, afraid, angry, scared of the unknown.”

Inside Luna’s Cancer Treatment Journey

Luna, a French Bulldog, was diagnosed with lymphoma at a young age. Phinney, who happened to be working at an animal hospital at the time, noticed her dog had swollen lymph nodes. Luna was otherwise a young and healthy dog. Phinney brought her to be checked and learned that Luna had B-cell lymphoma.

“With any type of cancer diagnosis, you want to start treatment right away,” Phinney said. “That’s your best chance.”

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Luna’s treatment consisted of 25 weeks of chemotherapy which, Phinney said, dogs often do quite well with.

“A lot of times, people have a fear of chemo affecting their dog’s way of life, but animals actually happen to handle chemo so much better than people,” Phinney said.

The High Cost of Treating Pet Cancer

The months of treatment, which Phinney explained were part of the CHOP protocol, resulted in 16 months of remission for Luna.

“We were incredibly fortunate to be able to give her the care and treatment she needed,” Phinney said. “Through that experience, we learned how overwhelming and heartbreaking the financial burden of cancer treatment can be.”

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. The number increases further in senior dogs.

How Luna’s Love Is Helping Other Families

By teaming up with the Veterinary Cancer Specialists of New England, Luna’s Love is able to support families who have a pet diagnosed with cancer.

“We are incredibly proud to be teamed up with Dr. (Andrew) Abbo and his amazing team at the Veterinary Cancer Specialists of New England,” Phinney said.

The money raised goes into an account at the Veterinary Cancer Specialist of New England, based in Buzzards Bay, in Luna’s name. Families who are struggling with the financial burden of treatment can apply for help.

“Last year’s fundraising is already depleted,” Phinney said.

How You Can Support Luna’s Love

On Saturday, May 2, Luna’s Love is holding a fundraising event to raise money that will go directly into the account for supporting families at the Veterinary Cancer Specialists of New England. The people-only fundraising event will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Stone Path Malt Tap Room in Wareham. The event features raffles, family activities, and more.

“I will always continue to spread her love, that’s why I created Luna’s Love,” Phinney said.​ “(Luna) may no longer be here physically, but she’s with me in ways I can’t explain – and that’s something time will never take away.”