Support the Bauman Family

Hello friends and family,

 

My name is Andrea Schmidt, and I am hoping you can join me in supporting this sweet family in THE most difficult situation they have ever faced. As many of you may be aware, my best friend, Jennifer Bauman, has been fighting the good fight against cancer for a LONG time. Ten years ago, Jennifer found a lump in her breast and was subsequently diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She then had a double mastectomy, which was then followed by chemo and several reconstructive surgeries. Mere months away from reaching the coveted 5-year cancer-free date, she learned that the cancer returned with a vengeance, and this time, the cancer metastasized in her liver. The new diagnosis was stage IV metastatic breast cancer, and the average lifespan for this diagnosis was 3 years. This last October 2021 marked 5 years of living with and fighting this disease for the Bauman’s. 

Unfortunately, she and her family were given the terrible news a few months ago that she has less than a year to live, and in the last few weeks, they’ve had to face the harsh reality that they have exhausted every single treatment option available to her. The end is drawing near, and the family had to make the very difficult decision to get hospice involved. The wonderful medical professionals have been working compassionately to assuage Jen’s pain and discomfort as she nears the end of her life. Jen will be leaving behind her devoted husband, Mathias, and their two beautiful children--Madison (12) and Mathias Jr. (17). The worry and pain this family feels as they grieve the imminent loss of their beloved wife and mother is heart-wrenching. It is devastating for all of us that have had the pleasure of knowing and loving Jen, but it is especially crushing for her husband and children as they have witnessed Jen’s pain and suffering from the very beginning. They have been by her side every step of the way as she endured the best and the worst of times in her heroic battle with cancer.

 

Today, they face an uncertain future as they make a concerted effort to focus their energy on making and cherishing memories they have left with Jen. It’s hard to comprehend a life without her in it, but that is the cruel reality her husband and children are forced to face. The holidays looming large only serves to amplify that loss. They need our help. The Bauman’s do not want to be an imposition, so asking for help is extremely difficult for them, but they need financial support as Jen nears the end of her life and Mathias must raise their children alone. Many people have graciously provided meals, helping hands, flowers, and the miraculous gift of friendship over the years, and Jen and Mathias have always been incredibly grateful and humbled.

 

It is my hope they will continue to have the support of all of us that love them as this is only the beginning of a very long road to healing. As the end of Jen’s life draws near, her family could benefit from some financial support to cover medical costs, funeral expenses, a Celebration of Life for her, and any other unexpected expenses that may come up throughout this process. Some of these funds will also help ease some of the financial strain Mathias will face as he transitions into raising their two beautiful children alone. Please continue to support this family in all the ways you can. Any amount helps and goes a long way to ensuring the Bauman family will not have to incur a huge financial burden with the passing of their beloved wife and mother. They’ve already lost so much.

 

Thank you all, and may God bless you.

Andrea Schmidt