Help Michelle & Julie with Medical Leave and Costs

Hi, my name is Carrie Cooley, and I am a friend and colleague of Julie Hittle (Thompson) Basso and a friend of Michelle Basso Hittle, too. As many of you know, Michelle has faced multiple medical challenges over the past few years. They have traveled to Cleveland Clinic (which is 5 hours away from home) multiple times for testing and procedures, and those doctors are now recommending a 10-day inpatient stay for Michelle in April, surgery in May, then recovery of at least a few weeks in the hospital afterward.

For those of us lucky enough to know them, Julie and Michelle are some of the most caring people you'll meet. I have been friends with Julie for over 20 years and I've not met anyone like her. She wakes up each morning and posts about the beauty of the day and her gratitude, even (and especially) when she is facing hardship. Her spirit is one of joy and she is an inspiration to so many. Michelle has been through many surgeries and procedures that would bring most of us to our knees, and yet she keeps fighting. Julie and Michelle serve such an important role in many of our lives--they are precious friends, beloved family members, grandparents, neighbors, and colleagues, and they need our love and support at this time.

I am setting up this fundraiser to assist Julie and Michelle with medical costs, housing and fees for Julie to stay in Cleveland for an extended period, and general assistance since Julie will need to be away from work for a bit.

Many of us have been on the receiving end of Julie and Michelle's kindness; please help us reflect that back to them.

With gratitude,

Carrie

"I am not scared of the elements

I am under-prepared, but I am willing

And even better

I get to be the other half of you

Tell the world that we finally got it all right

I choose you, yeah (I choose you, I do)"

~Sara Bareilles