Share in Debra’s Cancer Journey

Many of you know Debra as your midwife, supporting your choices in birth and transition into parenthood. Others know her as the hospice nurse for Lopez, Shaw and Orcas Islands, helping people through their final transition. While others of you know her as a friend. No matter what the case, Debra has always served as an invaluable support to those in transitional stages of life. In this way, we have all experienced Debra’s advocacy for our choice in the health decisions we are facing, as a friend, midwife, health advocate, hospice nurse and seeker of truth.

Recently, Debra was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – anal cancer – and it’s now our turn to help support her.

Having a rare form of cancer means limited treatment options due to lack of funding for research. The conventional therapies offered today for her form of cancer were developed over fifty years ago. And many, if not most of these therapies, create extreme collateral damage in the name of, "the cure."

It shouldn't surprise anyone that Debra is reaching beyond the conventional, seeking cutting-edge, less invasive forms of evidence-based treatments that have shown good success without devastating the body. While the prognosis is good with these treatments, they are expensive and take an emotional toll.

Debra is asking for our support in whatever way you feel drawn to contribute – financial, social, well-wishing – no offering is too small and all of it matters. Our culture and social norms tend to dissuade people from reaching out during tough times, Debra would like to continue to invite community through communication. Please feel free to reach out and share your thoughts and personal experiences.

You can donate to the GoFundMe campaign at the link below, and if you'd like to reach out to her, she can be reached through Facebook, FB messenger, email, text or phone. (Debra's Facebook page is at https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=798438138&name=xhp_nt__fb__action__open_user )

Our sincerest thanks to each of you from the bottom of our hearts for any support you can offer. Please add your comments of support to the GoFundMe to share and inspire as she navigates this complex path and share this link with others whose lives Debra has touched.

"Debra has fundamentally changed our lives, supporting us through pregnancy and birth and helping us navigate ongoing health decisions with deep caring. Please help support her as she has supported us all." - Kelly and Chris Meinig - past midwifery client

"True to form, Debra is already excited about giving back as she traverses this difficult path. Her treatment plan is the culmination of everything she's learned and once complete, Debra intends to share her learning to in turn help others." - Richard Track and Debra Babcock – friends on Orcas

Follow-up Note: To leave a comment on GoFundMe, it turns out a minimum $5 donation is needed. If you don't want to donate but want to send Debra a comment, please reach out to her directly (as above). If you want to leave a donation and a comment, you can access the Comment field from the "Finish sharing? Continue" link shown at the bottom of the popup after you donate, or you can log in to your GoFundMe account and click the "Donations you've made" link - this link appears under your account name in the upper righthand corner. Thank you for reaching out to ask this!