Janurary 15,2012 Karen Gill has gone home to be with the lord.

Karen Gill was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000 – at the age of 29. She had two small children, ages 7 & 5. She underwent a mastectomy, but the cancer had infiltrated 16 of the 18 lymph nodes evaluated. She underwent radiation and chemotherapy – and began the process of living with the chronic illness of cancer - ongoing chemotherapy, to keep the cancer contained, until medication side effects render the treatment no longer viable.

In 2003, the father of her children left, drained by the demands of cancer. Since then, Karen has been the single working mom, for her two children. She has worked using her high school diploma and medical assistant certificate, to provide a loving home for her children.

In 2007, she learned that the cancer had spread to the space around her lungs. She had surgery and began the chemo again. In 2008, she learned it was in her hips and began more treatment.

In 2010, Karen learned the cancer had spread to her brain and spine. She underwent full radiation to her brain at University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, under the care of Dr Young Kwok. He did a magnificent job and Karen made some progress. She watched Melissa graduate from TJ that spring. She celebrated her 40th birthday in 2011, but learned the cancer was in her liver. Under the care of Dr Sebastien Kairouz, she continued chemotherapy, and her PET Scan in Spring 2011 was clear. She enjoyed a healthy summer, but by fall pain was returning, the cancer was again spreading in her bones and liver. Chemotherapy in Fall 2011 bought us some time and she was able to watch Kadeem play for the state football championship on the TJ Varsity team.

December 2011 saw Karen struggle with advancing disease. On Sunday, January 15, 2012, her battle with breast cancer ended as she passed to her Lord. She was here for Kadeem's 17th birthday, but left us before she turned 41.