As Shauna Yusko entered the Evergreen Middle School (EMS) library Tuesday afternoon, the first things she noticed were the posters on display on the far wall — and how the holiday-themed images needed to be updated.

She begins contemplating out loud the merits of putting up Easter-themed posters with less than a month to go but stops abruptly as she realizes it’s not her job to worry about these types of things at the moment.

This is because the school librarian is currently on leave from work.

It all began in July 2012 when Yusko found some lumps in her breasts. The lumps appeared “literally overnight,” she said, so she assumed they were just a reaction to something she ate or a piece of clothing — nothing serious. But once August came and the lumps showed no signs of disappearing, Yusko went to the doctor. At 41, she said doctors weren’t too concerned, but once a biopsy was done in October 2012, the results showed it was cancer.

“It was a shock to everyone,” Yusko said, adding that she’d been feeling completely fine.

FOCUSING ON GETTING BETTER

Yusko was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and has just completed her 13th week of chemotherapy out of 20.

Since beginning treatment, which she said, “zaps you completely,” Yusko has taken time off from EMS to focus on getting better. And she has been sorely missed.

“She has become an integral part of this school and the educational programs we run here,” said EMS technology teacher Bob Kaneko.

Since Yusko came to the school six years ago, she and Kaneko have become teaching partners and he described the impact she has had on him as profound.

Upon learning about Yusko’s cancer, Kaneko began thinking about what she would need and how he could help. He set up a “Care Calendar” to help friends and family to address the basic needs like grocery runs, meals and errands. And then Kaneko began thinking about how he could help his colleague with her rising medical costs. He set up a fund-raising page for Yusko at www.giveforward.com/supportforshauna, which allows people to donate to the cause. The goal is to raise $10,000. As of Thursday afternoon, they have raised $4,562. The fund-raiser will run through April 5.

“In addition to helping with her bills…I hope it will make her feel better as she sees the outpouring of community support and as I stated earlier, I hope it will relieve her stress,” Kaneko said. “I believe that as much of her time and energy as possible should be directed toward getting better. She doesn’t need to worry about where the money will come from to pay the bills.”

STUDENT SUPPORT

In addition to Support for Shauna, another fund-raising event will be held from 7-9 p.m. on March 29 at the Old Fire House Teen Center at 16510 N.E. 79th St. in Redmond. The Literacy and Book Pack Benefit will feature students performing, sharing their art, writing and more.

Redmond High School (RHS) sophomore and former EMS student Jennifer Martinez came up with the idea after she learned about Yusko’s diagnosis and read the librarian’s blog, My Angry Cancer (myangrycancer.blogspot.com), which chronicles Yusko’s battle. Martinez noticed a link to the fund-raising website.

“I don’t have a job and my family is very much a working-class family, so I really couldn’t donate out of pocket,” she said.

With the benefit later this month, Martinez is still recruiting students to participate, but she said it’s going well.

“More than anything I really want Mrs. Yusko to feel and know that we’re all rooting for her and her amazing awesomeness, but I’d still very much like to raise a significant amount of funds to really help her out,” Martinez said. “She’s an incredible woman who has done so much for our community, it’s time for us to return the gesture.”

Admission for the event is $10 or $8 with a donation of a children’s book.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

When hearing about these different fund-raising efforts to support her, Yusko admitted that it feels weird.

As founder and lead organizer of Pantry Packs, a rolling backpack program that provides kids with food for the weekend as there is no free or reduced meal program to help them on their days off from school, she said she has no problem asking for help on behalf of others but is leery of asking for herself.

Even without her asking, Yusko has received a lot of help. In addition to the two fund-raisers, she said coworkers have donated sick leave, neighbors have cooked meals for her family on days she has chemotherapy and more.

“The community’s really amazing,” Yusko said about the support she’s received.

To help her focus on fighting the cancer, Jen Mayo, Yusko’s neighbor and friend, has stepped up her role in Pantry Packs. Despite this, Mayo said Yusko remains involved.

“I am continually amazed by her daily dedication to making sure (the Pantry Packs) are delivered regularly regardless of how she is feeling,” Mayo said. “Hopefully my involvement is helping relieve stress in her life and Shauna will be able to focus on fighting the cancer — a battle which she is sure to win — and return to ‘normal’ life in the near future.”

Two of Heidi Cooperrider’s four daughters have or are attending EMS and while Cooperrider has not met Yusko personally, she said there isn’t a more deserving person of all this support. As a parent, Cooperrider has a fondness for the librarian.

“Just the way my kids light up when they talk about her wins her a spot in my heart forever, and makes me wish I knew her better as a person,” she said. “We need people like Shauna Yusko.”