Laurie's Life Saving Surgery

In February, Laurie Ranta went in for a simple, LifeLine Screening test at a local church.

The ultrasound showed significant blockage in her right carotid Artery and she was advised to head directly to the ER where a second ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. Surgery was held a week later. Result - about 80 percent blocked! Laurie had NO noticeable symptoms before going in for the test. Good News though is the post-operation ultrasound shows that the surgery was a huge success!

This surgery comes just 10 months after Laurie had a necessary foot surgery, that is still being paid off. Having had two surgeries within a year and with many other financial setbacks in recent months, this page has been created to answer everyone's overwhelming offers of how to help. While meals are nice and always appreciated, right now financial assistance is most needed to help with current and ongoing bills and those incoming. Laurie and her husband, DJ find it hard to ask for help. They are always the ones who are offering and helping others; it doesn't matter if you are family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or strangers; they jump right in. They live simple lives, with no extravagant spending. They drive older cars, that DJ manages to keep up with making most repairs himself (one is a 1996 van with around 600,000 miles). Laurie is also a part-time caregiver to her 98 yr. old mother which results in many trips to MN each year, as well as separetely the TN State Director for American Rosie the Riveter Association. Thank you for your support, any little bit will be extremely appreciated.