pay for medical expenses

My sister Laurie L. has been diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation of bone marrow/blood cancer called MDS. Laurie has been struggling to receive a diagnosis in her hometown for the past many months and was finally referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Mayo Clinic is the Premier Center of Excellence for MDS and the physicians there were finally able to identify the specific mutation and diagnosis for her rare cancer.

In May 2022, Laurie received her BS in Social Work after her children were raised. She had been working on her degree for 6 years and was finally looking forward to employment in the field of social work, which is her passion. She started feeling unwell after graduation and noticed a rash on areas of her skin. It was then that abnormal blood levels started to appear but doctors were unable to find the cause.

As her energy level declined, Laurie decided to become a part-time CASA volunteer, working a few hours per week advocating for abused and neglected children. While unpaid, she attained so much satisfaction from advocating for and making a difference in the life of a child.

Laurie's husband Paul was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and lost his employment, further complicating their financial stability.

Laurie has made the 500-mile round trip to Mayo 7 times over the last several months. Each trip resulted in significant expenses including gasoline, hotel stays, meals, and parking, all of which she is unable to afford. Without the help of friends and family, the expenses would have been impossible for her.

On her last trip to Mayo on November 12, she received her first treatment of chemotherapy for 7 consecutive days. She is at home now resting and recovering from the chemo side effects. Laurie will receive chemo cycles for 7 days on, & 21 days off, possibly for the rest of her life. While she is going to try moving her treatments to her hometown, she will need to continue to make trips every three months (at a minimum) to Mayo to have bone marrow biopsies and follow-up treatment.

Laurie is a kind, loving person who is so generous with others, including strangers. She is so deserving of your donation to continue to receive life-saving treatments and travel to the experts who are working hard to find new treatments for those with MDS.