By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Friends and family members have come together in an effort to help a Quinlan woman pay for cancer treatment including an insurance deductible of $6,000.

Beth Casas was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Friend Ann Reagan opened an account at the Quinlan branch of American National Bank where donations may be deposited.

Reagan said friends had already held a garage sale and raised approximately $1,000. She said M.D. Anderson Hospital estimated costs to be $69,000 and up to $100,000 if radiation was used.

Casas’ daughter, Ashley Harris, said her mother was diagnosed with small-cell carcinoma of the lungs that had spread to bones. Harris said her mother required treatment last week after her lung collapsed, and it was found to have spread to her heart and a tumor was found on her brain.

She said about $6,000 in other expenses were needed in addition to the $6,000 insurance deductible.

Casas and her husband Edward are 28-year residents of Quinlan. She said their son Edward Jr. and daughter Alysha Taylor both attended Boles Independent School District. Oldest daughter Ashley attended Quinlan Independent School District.