Kim LaRose Fund

My name is Rita Petitt. My husband Greg and I went to Houston,Texas last weekend to help a friend in the hospital. The three of us have been friends since 1974. Kim LaRose is a server/bartender. Has been her entire life. Single working mom. She has a 26-year-old daughter, Ashley. Kim has had back problems for the last two years. Because of being poor she has only been able to see a PA at a clinic. She also was using chiropractic and massage when she could afford it. But no actual Doctor appointment. Treated like a drug seeker. Never once in those 2 years was she ever given anything for relief. 10 days ago she started throwing up and could not stop. Her boyfriend drove her to an ER in Houston where she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, metastasized into her bones. Her back problems for the last two years were not back problems, it was the cancer growing the whole time. While we were at the hospital with her I filled out all the paperwork for her Social Security Insurance disability. 60 pages worth. How are ill people supposed to fill that out? Work history alone was 15 years worth. In doing so I found out that in 2016 in Houston, Texas, United States of America, my 57-year-old friend with over 30 years of bartending experience, WAS BEING PAID $2.13 AN HOUR. Consequently, I don't know what to be madder about, no insurance or money for insurance, or WAGES FROM THE 1950's. Let me say it again, $2.13 an hour. I have no idea how she has been buying food, let alone spending any money on medical care. On the sixth day in the hospital they ordered a CT scan of her brain. It came back clear. The cancer has not reached her brain, yet. So she was discharged. No insurance or money, get out. She will meet with an oncologist one day this week to see what her options are. We are asking for donations for living expenses, treatment, and hopefully something special just for her. Her daughter Ashley lives 3 hours away in Austin. We need money for gasoline and/or Uber so Kim can have time with her daughter. I cannot express the heartfelt gratitude Greg and I feel at the few cash donations we have received already, including a donation from a TEENAGE BOY at church this morning. He emptied his wallet. True compassion. We cried together. Prayers for all who have to walk such a tough road. I thank you. My friend Kim LaRose thanks you.