Help Save Laura's Life

Thank you, first of all, for taking the time to read this. With a website called "GoFundMe," the cat's kind of already out of the bag about why I reached out, but you came anyway, and I appreciate the concern and support. 

I would like to get something straight at the outset: I'm obese. Not plus size. Not overweight. Severely - morbidly - obese. People want to be kind when I discuss my weight, or else really don't see what I see, but it's a very important distinction to make and accept:  I'm just not one of those girls on TV complaining about having to lay down to zip up their skinny jeans, or how they need to go on a cleanse to lose 10 lbs. I'm not knocking people for whom these are real issues, it's just that mine are more than cosmetic. My issues are life-threatening.

On top of what should be my own healthy weight, I carry a 120 lb woman on me all day, every day. She's uncomfortable, and she can be mean! She grips the nerves and discs in my back, sits on my lungs, and stands on my constantly aching feet. She bulges out over my wasitbands and out of my shirt sleeves. She speaks for me a lot, usually saying things like "I'm too tired to work out," or "I'll start the diet tomorrow," or Just a couple more chips..." She's a bitch, and I want to get rid of her.

I have struggled my whole life with my weight, due in part to some cruel twist of genetic fate. I've been on some kind of diet for 25 years (since I was 13):  eating less, moving more, going to personal trainers and nutrionists, starving myself and then binging, Weight Watchers, Slim-Fast, Nutrisystem, Phen-fen, Meridia, Atkins, Carb Addicts, and countless others. These attempts sometimes worked in the short-term, but they didn't fix my core problem. At this point, I'm too far behind to lose the weight I need on my own.

So, what's the solution?


Bariatric surgery - specifically Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - is the solution for me. My doctors all agree that I need this surgery, but unfortunately, my employer's benefits plan doesn't cover it. It's a pricey surgery ($25,000 for the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and hospital stay), and not something that would benefit a lot of people in my company, so I get why they don't cover it. But I can't wait any longer. I must have surgery this  year. As one of my doctors said:  it's more dangerous for me to live without the surgery than it is for me to have it.

Surgery is not a quick fix. It's a tool. A boost. I will have to relearn how to eat for survival, since my new stomach/sleeve will be so small. 


I want to have surgery this summer, and this is where you come in. I can't schedule the surgery until the check for $25,000 clears at UCLA Medical Center. I plan to borrow/withdraw as much as I am able from my 401(k) for the procedure, but that won't cover the full amount, so I am swallowing my pride, and asking you for money. Everything raised will go towards making this surgery happen:  pre- and post-op doctors visits, the surgery itself, boarding Cookie while I'm in the hospital, and miscellaneous expenses that will crop up during the process.

This is not a tax-deductible contribution. You are giving completely out of the goodness of your heart, and expecting nothing in return. This is a truly altruistic act, and I will be forever grateful for every dollar you give.

Your kindness will help me break a vicious cycle of dieting, and begin a virtuous cycle. As soon as I'm strong enough, and the doctor clears me, I want to start working out and get back involved with Team in Training. I can't wait to not be the biggest team member, to be able to push for a new personal record at the next half marathon, triathlon, hike, and not just train to finish.


I can give you nothing in return for your generosity but my undying gratitude.

Thank you so much for reading, and for helping to save my life!