Support Tara Through Surgery & Recovery

Our friend Tara needs our help! Shortly after arriving on a weekend away with friends and her foster children, Tara became extremely ill. After a couple of hours and realizing she was only getting worse, a friend took her to the local hospital where she would begin the journey to find out she has a grapefruit-sized tumor on her liver.

Three hospitals and five days later, a surgery was scheduled and the reality set in of the road ahead: they are removing 40% of her liver via open abdomen incision, after which she will be moved to ICU for recovery, and will be in the hospital for at least another week (about 3 weeks total) with no lifting for 4-6 weeks post-op. Tara is a single foster mom to two young girls, ages 2 & 5, and a 13-month old boy she’ll be adopting soon.

Unfortunately, Tara recently changed jobs and due to this very recent change is not yet eligible for any type of paid leave or absence. This also means that she has a new deductible to hit on her insurance. In addition to surgery and recovery, we anticipate more time at the doctor for labs, bloodwork and additional scans to confirm the tumor is benign and monitor the recovery of her liver, and of course the slow return to work and normal life.

We love Tara for many reasons, but among the top would be the fierce spirit with which she approaches all of her life. She became a foster parent on her own two years ago and has had more than 11 babies and children become hers in the most beautiful way. Tara has always hustled to provide herself with the life she desires and enjoys - she owned & operated a small business for many years while working full-time before making foster care her priority.

Tara gives more of her time, resources, and energy to her kids, friends, family, and strangers in need than anyone I know, and it's our turn to show up for her. Please join in supporting Tara through this difficult and unpredictable time in an effort to provide her some level of peace as she navigates her recovery and works towards reuniting her family!