Team Lara - Help with Living and Medical Expenses

If you live in Murrieta, CA and have kids in sports, chances are you've seen a Lara boy playing on the court or field and heard the cheers of support from their mom, Jessica, and dad, Travis. Now, Jessica and Travis need the support of their community while Jessica goes through some challenging health issues.

For about the last 15 years, whether it be Murrieta Pop Warner, PONY Baseball, Youth Basketball, Thompson Middle School or Murrieta High School football and basketball teams, Heritage High football and basketball, Jessica has been the taxi driver, fundraiser, snack bar volunteer, team mom and #1 Fan for her boys Hayden, Justin, & Carson. Every practice and game, she is there. All while giving full-time to her job as a lead at Target. Travis by her side, often as a coach, and working full-time himself, they've made a great team, giving all to their kids and their community. The Lara team now needs help from us.

On Christmas night, Jessica had some health issues that required an urgent trip to the hospital. It was found that she had a lump in her breast that was deemed cancerous. Her team of doctors promptly started treating cancer with chemotherapy. She also continued to suffer numbness and dizziness, which was originally thought to be due to the lump, possibly pressuring a nerve. After another serious bout of numbness and vertigo, she was rushed to the hospital again and treated for a possible bacterial infection. After some improvement in her conditions, she was released for more testing. Scans came back to show that she had actually suffered multiple brain episodes (TIAs, aka mini-strokes). Doctors concluded that these episodes were probably related to the lump in her breast & they chose to perform an urgent mastectomy of the affected breast (the other breast will likely be removed eventually, too). She is now recovering from the operations and going through therapy and rehab from the TIAs. She will get back to cancer treatments when she is able. It will be a long road, but doctors have a good outlook.

As you can imagine, medical expenses are piling up, and work hours are on hold. An ambulance ride alone is $5,000. With Jessica in the hospital and Travis managing all of her care, they've gone from 2 full-time incomes to a fraction (based on disability and family care). Supporting their busy household of 3 boys (HS Senior and Freshman, and a 4th grader) in school and sports; with all the food, gas, time and energy that goes into that, we humbly ask for help. Donations will go straight to the Lara family for living expenses and medical bills. If you would like to give in another practical way (meals, gift cards - i.e. grocery, door dash, gas -, carpools, etc), please reach out to Heather Hickman through this campaign page.

Life is a team sport. We appreciate you coming alongside the Lara family.