Helping Laura Kick Breast Cancer and Endo!
Our dear friend Laura is always the first to jump up and lend a hand when you need it. When I first arrived in Melbourne, she and Alex hopped on a plane and came to surprise me at the airport, so I had a familiar face to greet me. If you ever had a surprise party - chances are she organised it, if you got sick – she cleaned your house, if you ever just needed someone – she was there. And now – she needs us to help.
Beneath that cheery exterior Laura has been battling endometriosis for a long time. Endometriosis is a full body disease, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of your body causing damage to organs and leaving scar tissue. In Laura’s case, this is affecting her bowel, her pelvic nerves, and the whole front and back of her pelvis with deep infiltrating endometriosis noodles.
Laura was due to fly to Brisbane for a long and complicated operation to remove the tissue as well as a section of her bowel and a hysterectomy. The impact of this surgery would be huge, the recovery time immense and the cost – substantial. With her bags packed and almost ready to go Laura found a lump in her left breast.
The Lump - turns out that when it rains it pours. Laura has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer – that is being sped up by the endometriosis. She is about to embark on a treatment plan which will involve breast surgery, reconstructive surgery and radiotherapy / chemotherapy over approx. 6 months. She also has to fit in the original surgery as well.
Laura moved to Australia from the UK 10 years ago and lives in Townsville with Alex and their beloved cats. She has been a wonderful step mum to Alex’s children and a vibrant member of the Townsville community. The impact of COVID has been that friends and family who don’t live in Townsville or Australia are unable to visit to offer support.
There has been an enormous outpouring of requests to help Laura which is not at all surprising as she is an amazing friend to so many people. Right now – what Laura needs is financial support. The surgery and hospital costs are fully covered but unfortunately there are substantial out of pocket costs, such as the surgeons, anaesthetists, flights to Brisbane, and accommodation to name but a few.
So if you were thinking of sending flowers and cards etc then please just turn it into a donation instead. All funds raised will go towards helping Laura while she braves breast cancer with a focus to get her medical costs covered, contribute towards living expenses and any additional costs so that Laura can focus on her treatment & recovery. Any excess funds will be donated towards breast cancer awareness in Australia.