Cape Girardeau Community Rallies to Support Local Woman Battling Cancer

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Cape Girardeau community is coming together to support Robin Balogh, a local woman battling a rare form of lymphoma. Balogh, a nurse, teacher, mother, grandmother, and wife, has served the community for years, and now, as she faces cancer, many are rallying to return the favor.

Balogh’s daughter, Tiffany Wright, described the emotional toll of seeing her mother struggle with the disease.

“No one wants to lose their mom,” Wright said, choking up. “She doesn’t deserve to be going through all of this.”

Wright has witnessed her mother’s relapse with lymphoma over the past two years, which has been incredibly difficult for their family. “They told her she was clear, but she wasn’t. She had two kinds of cancer, and it felt like huge mountains to climb,” Wright said. “My mom has such strong faith in God, and it’s hard not to feel bitter about it. But I’m trying to stay positive like she is.”

Despite the hardship, Wright is looking for a silver lining. “I want this to lead to something good, something positive from this nightmare.”

For Robin, the hardest part of her diagnosis was telling her children. “The hardest part, when I found out I had cancer originally, was calling all my kids individually,” Robin recalled. “They’re all in different places, and going through it with each one of them was hard.”

However, Robin has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the people she has touched over the years. As a nurse for decades and a teacher for 18 years, Robin has left a lasting impact on many.

“It’s awesome to know there are so many people out there supporting me,” Robin said. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted me and offered help.”

Robin is also hearing from former students, many of whom she hasn’t spoken to in years. “It’s kind of nice to hear back from them,” she said.

The support extends beyond former students. Current student Jordan O’Kelly, who is in Balogh’s class, created a Facebook page called “Fighting Lymphoma with Robin.” In just a month, the page has gained over 2,000 members and is helping organize fundraisers, including T-shirt sales.

O’Kelly said he was inspired by Balogh’s lifelong dedication to nursing and teaching. “She went the extra mile to teach future nurses, people who care for us in hospitals,” he said. “Now it’s our turn to care for her when it counts.”

O’Kelly has a message for those who want to help. “Every last bit helps. We’re really trying to save a good woman, and that’s what matters.”

For those looking to support Robin, a fundraiser will be held at Chick-fil-A in Cape Girardeau on April 16. T-shirts to support Robin’s fight will be available for sale starting April 21.