Greater Long Beach coverage is funded in part by Toast Coffee + Kitchen, Long Island’s hottest brunch spot. Now open in Long Beach. Click here to visit the website.
At just 30 years old, Brooke Olsen is facing a challenge that has upended her life.
What started as a whirlwind of unexplained health issues has led to a lymphoma diagnosis, setting the Long Beach woman on an unexpected journey of treatment and recovery.
As she begins chemotherapy, her friends have stepped up, establishing a fundraiser to help ease the financial burden of mounting medical costs. In just one day, the effort has already raised over $11,000 through nearly 100 donations.
Click here for more information on how to donate GoFundMe effort for Brook Olsen.
Complex medical journey
Described by friends as “pure hearted and selfless,” Olsen began experiencing mysterious health issues in early 2024. What started with concerning blood work results in April 2024 led to multiple hospitalizations and a complex medical journey that left specialists puzzled for months.
The situation became critical last month when Olsen, formerly of Bay Shore, spent more than two weeks hospitalized due to liver complications caused by HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis), a severe inflammatory condition. Doctors have meanwhile identified her condition as B cell lymphoma, and she has now started chemotherapy treatments.
In response to Olsen’s diagnosis, friend Jacqueline Lehan launched a GoFundMe campaign on Monday to help offset mounting medical costs and living expenses while Olsen focuses on her recovery.
“The doctors are hopeful for a full recovery but with time, treatments, and hardships of being out of work, we want Brooke to be able to focus on healing and getting better with a great support system by her side,” Lehan wrote in the fundraiser description. “
While doctors remain optimistic about Olsen’s chances for a full recovery, she faces an extended period of treatment and rehabilitation, Lehan added.
