Help Bless the Baker Family

Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School staff is fundraising for our beloved music teacher, Kerry Baker, who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive brain cancer, this past September, and more recently, Sinus Thrombosis. Kerry is a true joy in our community and her optimism and warmth are treasured. We are raising money to offset the loss of income and for any other financial needs the family may incur through this difficult time. The Baker family has served LCPS since 1995. Kerry’s husband is also a teacher in LCPS, and her 3 daughters, who also have careers in education- LCPS and elsewhere- are all supporting Kerry as much as possible during this time.

In early August of 2022, Kerry started having headaches. She continued to work in August to set up her classroom and was ready to teach our students, but she started to have vision issues and realized she needed to see a doctor. After having an MRI, she was immediately admitted to the hospital, underwent brain surgery to remove the softball-sized tumor, and in October and November began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Kerry has now completed radiation but continues with monthly cycles of 5 days of chemo followed by 23 days of recovery. Kerry is continuing to teach during her treatment, which is scheduled to continue for 12 months. She sees an oncologist in Winchester, but also travels to Duke University, in North Carolina, every two months to meet with her full oncology team, and to search for clinical trials that will need to continue for the rest of her life. All of these appointments and travel, while necessary, contribute to the financial impact of her cancer diagnosis. Kerry has expressed that her desire is not just to be treated but that her battle with glioblastoma would help to find a cure for herself or future generations.

Kerry is extremely dedicated to her job, our students, our community, and her faith.

She is still an active worship leader at her church where she continues to lead the praise band, including her husband and 3 daughters, weekly except on weeks when she is going through treatment. She also continues to pass out food boxes with her church to families in need on Fridays.

Please help us to support the Baker family during this time.