Support Sarah on her Cancer Journey

Hi, My name is Penny (Maureen) Hawes. I started this fundraiser for our family. Let me start by saying that starting this fundraiser hasn't been easy for me. I've always been the one donating to food banks, supporting the animal shelter, and volunteering my time, but this year has truly knocked the stuffing out of me and I have to admit we need help.

This spring, I developed a mystery illness that caused my white blood count to plummet. I was sick for several weeks, and extremely fatigued for months. It was thought to be leukemia, but thankfully wasn't. I cut back significantly on my work hours for a few months but ended up returning to full-time so we could make ends meet.

My husband has arthritis in both of his shoulders which has caused the joints to deteriorate to the point where the balls have worn through the sockets. He doesn't want to have replacement surgery because he wants to be able to fix things around the house, but his extreme pain and loss of mobility are making things difficult. This fall he was in the hospital for a few days with elevated blood pressure of 210/80.

In August, we lost both of our dogs within a 3-week period which was devastating. We'd had them for about 10 years and their passing has left a huge void.

I discovered that my clinical depression was in part due to a genetic abnormality. The new medications I have are over $300 per month. Additionally, I will be having a procedure on my neck in February to help control the constant headaches from cervical spinal stenosis.

A tree fell on the barn that my husband had built for our 2 rescue horses, and there's a gaping section in the roof, which he can't fix easily because of his shoulders.

And then last month - the worst blow - our daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She's also BRCA 2 positive, so she's facing a few surgeries and at least a year of chemo.

Her oncologist is about 60 miles away, and our vehicle isn't in a condition to make that trip safely every week.

The $25,000 goal I've set would help us cover some of the medical expenses, make some needed repairs on our house, and repair our vehicles enough to make them reliable. It would also help cover living expenses for those times I'm unable to work because of my medical procedures and taking Sarah to her appointments.

I cannot begin to express the level of gratitude I have for anyone able and willing to help.

Thank you.