Astrid Allen and her family

Dear friends,

Have you ever met someone and immediately think “Wow, I can’t believe we haven’t met before now because we have so much in common and are so much alike”?! That’s exactly the moment I had when I met Astrid Allen, at the time she was my doctor and wonderful friend (Dr. Mattei) ‘s medical assistant, then many years later, our friendship grew even closer when Dr. Mattei graciously allowed me to come and do my internship for NP school at his practice. If you know Astrid, you know exactly what I mean. She is one of those people who has an infectious personality and lights up any room she walks into! Today, this wonderful infectious person, who became one of my closest friends and confidants, called to tell me she has stage 4 Ovarian cancer which has already metastasized. I was devastated and could not help myself as I selfishly wept! She quickly told me to “dry it up”! She wanted me to know she plans on fighting and beating down this disease! This is my friend, Astrid. She is a fighter, a woman of faith, and I believe her when she says she is going to beat it!! She has recently met the man of her dreams, and she has a job she looks forward to going to every day, and a loving family (a daughter and grandchildren) who live with her and feel helpless and scared…..what she DOESN’T have is health insurance, and paid time off. As a health care provider, myself, I unfortunately see people facing this every day, and it just stinks! As a friend, who is seeing it even more up close and personal happening to a dear friend, it is torturous! First and foremost, I realize it’s time to shop for Christmas for your own friends and families, however, I am asking you, as a personal favor to me, if you have ever thought about helping someone in need …PLEASE… help my dear friend Astrid. Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart. I know Astrid would be the first one to say, “ I don’t care it it’s a dime or a dollar.”…