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A fundraiser is being held for DiDonato, who suffers from liver cancer, at The Quiet Man at 15 N. Division St. from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. A fund-raiser at the Quiet Man in 2013 drew 200 people.
A year ago, DiDonato went for some testing to get life insurance and found her liver functions were high. A tumor was discovered and was found to be cancerous.
Though initially thinking she was cancer free after the tumor was removed, a checkup in January revealed DiDonato had new tumors and an aggressive form of liver cancer.
DiDonato has been undergoing various treatments, traveling to New York City each week to undergo chemotherapy and meet with doctors. She has lost her hair and often has trouble getting out of bed, all while caring for her two-year-old daughter.
Having these fundraisers is awesome, Donato said.
"It was amazing last year," DiDonato said. "I love to see all my friends and all the people I've known. That's the best part."
DiDonato said her friends, family and fiance have all been great in helping her fight cancer.
"One of my friends helped set up my daughter's birthday party when I couldn't get out of bed," DiDonato said. "It really helps me keep fighting."
The fundraiser goes to help DiDonato pay for the cost of treatment and transportation to and from New York City.
"It can be a real hassle and a huge chunk of change," DiDonato said.
DiDonato is on her fourth different treatment plan and said it can be frustrating. There is not a lot of research for young adults with cancer.
"It's like you're playing roulette," DiDonato said. "They don't have the research to help you, it's either pediatric or geriatric. You're kind of stuck, it makes it difficult."
DiDonato said she is most looking forward to hearing bagpipers play at her fundraiser.
For more information on the event visit the Team Brittany Facebook page at www.facebook.com/teambrittd. To donate visit www.teambrittany.org.
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