BATON ROUGE — As the December 14th Jambalaya Fundraiser for Karrah East approaches, new updates from her wife, Calli, shed light on the tremendous challenges the family has faced since the beginning of the year.
Karrah, a Baton Rouge mother and beloved community member, was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018. After being in remission for 5 years, it returned in 2023 and has since spread to multiple areas of her body. Karrah is undergoing aggressive treatment at MD Anderson in Houston.
“What has changed since January? A lot.” said Karrah’s wife, Calli.
Since January, Karrah has undergone several treatment protocols, with each bringing its own physical and emotional toll. Initially, Karrah began a chemotherapy regimen, which led to her first significant visible side effects, including hair loss. The harsh effects on her body resulted in multiple hospitalizations and blood transfusions, ultimately forcing her medical team to discontinue the treatment.
Following chemo, Karrah transitioned to an immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, which initially showed promise by stabilizing her cancer. Unfortunately, after several months, Keytruda also stopped working, and her cancer progressed to additional areas.
Recently, Karrah started a newly FDA-approved drug for cervical cancer, but the side effects have been devastating. According to Calli, “The first dose was brutal—probably the worst she’s ever been. She lost 15 pounds in three weeks and nearly had to be hospitalized.” The team at MD Anderson is now administering a reduced dose to balance effectiveness with tolerability, but the family has been informed that the treatment may only provide additional months, not years.
Beyond traditional treatments, Karrah has embraced alternative therapies, including high-dose vitamin C infusions and lifestyle changes aimed at improving her quality of life. These efforts, however, come at a significant financial cost, with some treatments costing up to $600 per week and not covered by insurance.
Through all of this, Karrah’s resilience and her support system have been remarkable. “She never complains. She’s always trying so hard. It’s impressive.”
How the community can help
The December 14th fundraiser at Notoco Industries (10380 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge) offers a chance to support Karrah and her family directly. For $10 a plate, attendees can enjoy jambalaya, white beans, salad, and bread, with proceeds going toward medical and travel expenses. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and runs until the food runs out.
In addition to the fundraiser, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help offset the mounting costs of Karrah’s care. Donations can also be made via Venmo to @KareLikeKarrah.
Karrah’s strength and determination inspire all who know her, and the Baton Rouge community is rallying to ensure she and her family feel supported during this difficult time.
“We are blessed to have such a great support system. I don’t know how people without one get through this.”
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