Young family needs our help after sudden loss

We lost our beautiful, strong, and brilliant friend Valerie to a rare and aggressive cancer on Sunday, August 9th, two days before her 42nd birthday. This sudden, terrible loss has left a hole in all our lives and we are scrambling to surround Valerie's husband, Michael, and their two young children, Emerson and Whitman, with the support they need to get through a difficult year dealing with residual medical bills, child care, transitional insurance, and expenses for a memorial Michael never expected to plan.

Since being diagnosed with Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma in 2016, Valerie endured multiple surgeries and debilitating treatments while continuing to teach and be the amazing wife and mother she has always been. Both teachers of writing, Michael and Valerie had schedules that minimized the need for childcare and they relied on insurance from Valerie's tenured position at Wilbur Wright College. Valerie was so young and so brave that even when the cancer metastasized to her brain, we thought we would have more time: time enough for her to survive this recurrence, find effective treatment, and raise her children, who are 8 and 5. Now it's left to us to buy time for Michael so he can focus on caring for the kids, grieving Valerie, and adapting to everything they now must face without the partner and mother they love so much.

We are beyond grateful for any and all assistance you are able to provide. Thank you.