♥︎Lori Strong♥︎ Cancer Relief Fund

Hi, my name is Hilary. My mom, Lori, has been battling Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer since February 2021.

In August of 2021, she unexpectedly lost her husband, Keith, our dad. When our dad passed away, our parents had just had their 38th Wedding anniversary, and it seemed like nothing of this magnitude would ever happen to our family. However, on August 10th, Keira went to wake our father and found him unresponsive. No 13-year-old should have to experience that trauma. I could not imagine how she felt, the emotions she is still dealing with, and the brave face she continues to put on daily, seeing all our mom is managing.

Mom goes to weekly chemo appointments through the Ohio State University Wexner Medical, and they have been the most excellent doctors and nurses to her. OSU has agreed to waive future medical expenses, but mom must pay the debt owed on her current Chemo and Scans, and Rx coverage costs. The cost is almost $80,000. I am unsure how they expect a widow with a 14-year-old to pay that, surviving on SSI and traveling to and from weekly chemo? Mom does not qualify for any state aid, because she dad and her worked hard to own their home and vehicles?! What kind of America are we living in?

This past week we have received news her cancer is growing and we do not yet know what her decisions or wishes are. We love her and respect her choices. But we are trying all we can to clear her medical debt and build a savings for Keira to have some safe future.

You have too many assets so you qualify for no help even though programs you paid into? I am in shock in our system and how you or we can work your tail off your entire life to make it… and have no help. How can we leave a medical debt to my sister?

With all this, Keira has continued her homeschool program and remained a straight-A student. She is the kindest soul you would ever meet. Her smile lights up a room, and her hugs truly cure you. I wish I could ease her soul, remove all of her pain and restart the past few years for her and my family. Keira deserves to have a future with no stress. I remember at 14, the last thing I thought about was my parents paying medical bills. Instead, Keira is thinking about her mom's chemo, the cost, the bill, the impact on her mother, the effect on her mom after, the sleep her mom won't get, the pain her mom will be in, and which sibling will be able to take her mom to and from chemo because all three siblings have different schedules.

More turmoil continues to rain down on my mom as her insurance runs out and her stint has to be replaced every three months. The bills pile up, and her stress weighs heavy on her heart and mind. The more we watch the bills come in, the more we see her weaken and worry. In addition, with recent events, our youngest brother's home has burnt down, and we are processing his family's loss and them recovering. We are trying to help our mother and be there for her, our brother, but it all pulls us in different directions.

We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers.

Please, share her story; again, we appreciate your support, prayers, love, and kind words below.

Any cards or letters of kind words can be sent

10626 Township Road 157

East Liberty Ohio 43319