Yep. It’s come to this.

Dear family, friends, teammates, people in my life, & perhaps even strangers: I am always one to give everything a lot of thought, and this “GoFundMe” post is no exception. To put it simply, things have reached a point where I need some help. I have cancer—specifically, breast cancer—and I am struggling a bit. I am often exhausted; I have had to make, and am continuing to make, decisions regarding my body and the future. My aim is to still successfully complete the San Francisco Marathon, which is Sunday July 23rd, even if my pace is slower and the distance itself more challenging. Surgery is scheduled for July 27th, with rest and recovery necessary for several weeks post-op. I want to get through this and become one of those proud breast cancer survivors. My goal is to eventually return to marathon training and run Boston in April 2024. I love running; the sport has taught me a great deal about resilience, discipline, and strength. So, I hope to get back to it. Surgery is going to have an impact on my ability to work, and the reality is that I live alone in an expensive (but wonderful) city. With medical costs, bills, and being ‘out of commission’ for a certain time period, I am going to have difficulty making ends meet. Any contributions would help me stay afloat while I am on the mend. When I am well, I am open to volunteering in some way—e.g., coaching; giving presentations related to my background and personhood, such as writing, journalism, running, gender, & neurodiversity. I would welcome the opportunity to give back in the ways I can. Thank you, JL