It is a story that unfortunately seems to be happening with more frequency, someone getting seriously ill and coming close to, or in fact losing, their home. A Fall River area woman is reportedly experiencing that same fate.
A clinical team lead at a southeastern Massachusetts mental health practice is battling acute myeloid leukemia while her family works to avoid losing their home, according to her employer and a GoFundMe campaign.
April Lacey has worked at Compassionate Counseling Company for five years. She started as a therapist and later became a clinical supervisor before being promoted to Clinical Team Lead. In February, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow. She has undergone chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, along with treatment for complications that include graft-versus-host disease, infections, and kidney failure requiring dialysis. Although recent testing showed no evidence of leukemia, she remains in the intensive care unit, and her medical team is planning another stem cell transplant in November. Recovery is expected to be lengthy.
Lacey was the primary income earner for her family. Her husband, Tom, has been caring for their daughter, Willow, who has autism, while managing Lacey’s hospitalization. With both parents unable to work for extended periods, the family has fallen behind financially, and their home has entered foreclosure. Tom is seeking housing assistance and other resources, according to information shared by the practice owner.
A GoFundMe seeks $8,000 to help cover medical bills and living expenses. The campaign notes that paid leave for both parents is limited and that recovery after transplant is expected to take several months or longer.
Julia Nepini, owner of Compassionate Counseling Company, described Lacey as a valued colleague, mentor, and clinical leader who has supported clients and newer therapists. She said Lacey’s mother has called her a warrior who continues to fight. The practice has shared the family’s situation publicly in hopes of generating additional support.
