Liza's Trip of Healing
Donation protected
The official fundraising page to send our dear Liza on a much needed and deserved trip to begin healing after tragically losing all three of her family members to cancer. Organized by her close friends.
BACKSTORY:
You'd be hard pressed to find a single person that having met Liza Ginnings would describe her any other way except; loving, kind, honest, selfless, hilarious, hard working, fun, genuine, and a friend who would without hesitation put someone else's needs above her own. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her brother Noah, or her parents Larry and Deb, then you know where she got it.
Around ten years ago Liza's family suffered a great loss when Noah lost a long, hard fought battle with brain cancer. As devastating as such a loss is, they pressed on never allowing it to harden their hearts. Liza will probably tell you it had a lot to do with Noah and how he chose to live his life despite his unfair circumstances.
I wish I could say their experience with loss stopped there, but in a cruel and another extremely unfair turn of events their family was hit by illness once again. About a year ago Deb was diagnosed with cancer and began her fight. Within months of Deb's diagnoses, Larry was also diagnosed with cancer. Liza immediately took on the role of caregiver/nurse/accountant/companion and much more to her ailing parents. She has fought for them endlessly despite how much pain and anger she has felt. Her father sadly lost his battle with cancer on December 2nd, 2018. And now Deb's health has taken a turn for the worse and she has been placed in hospice. In another cruel hit the family also lost their beloved dog, Roscoe in the midst of all of this.
Without time to mourn the loss of her best friend and dad, she has had to begin preparing for the same loss again. Liza has expressed how the one thing she is really going to need after she says goodbye to her mother is to get away from it all, to have the opportunity to grieve for them and for herself, away from the home where she will have watched all three of her family members take their last breath.
WHAT WE WANT TO GIVE HER:
So please help us to raise as much money as we can to allow Liza to fly anywhere in the world she wishes for a much needed change of scenery, space to grieve, and time to process and begin her long journey to healing. She has mentioned she wants warmth and for her trip to last long enough that she'll need to do laundry at least twice. And we don't want her to have to worry about anything for that entire time.
TIMELINE:
The timeline is uncertain at this point, but we would like to complete the fundraiser and be able to provide Liza with the funds within two months.
She deserves this more than anyone we have ever met, and if you needed any more convincing, here are a few testimonials from some of Liza friends from all over the country:
*****************************************************
"I’ve known Liza since we were two years old. We met in daycare where she tells me she can still remember me holding up two fingers and telling her I was “this many”. (If you know Liza you know she has an epic ability to recount stories.) I was a creative and pretty shy kid, but Liza guided me with her fearless loudness. Her confidence and her friendship taught me how to live boldly and take up space too. Through grade school, theater camp, after-school choir and to this day, she’s been the type of friend who always encourages my imagination and stands up for me when I experience self doubt, or when others would tease or talk over me.
Spending time at the Ginning’s house growing up always felt like stepping into a warm and eclectic universe of freedom, music and fun. Noah was the nicest big brother I’d ever met, and Deb and Larry actually liked each other. I learned a lot observing their family and being Liza’s friend. The hardship that has struck them is the cruelest series of happenings I've ever observed. I'm incredibly thankful that Liza has so many best friends who are here to lift her up right now. Being her friend is a very special honor. I love you endlessly, Liza."
-Megan Toenyes
"I have yet to meet another person on this planet that is as strong as Liza Ginnings. That strength is passed on from her mother, father and brother, and comes through as a bright light that everyone is constantly drawn to. You would never know the kind of tragedy she’s dealt with, and still dealing with, because even through all of this, she’s used that light to continue to help everyone around her. There is not a more wonderful family than the Ginnings clan, no stronger person than Liza, and we are all better people for knowing her."
-Morgan Phillips
"Liza and I have been friends for 43 years, easily making her my longest-running acquaintance. We started getting really close when I came home from college and we’d just drive around for hours and hang out because we were too young to get into proper trouble. Since those first days, every time I come home she seems to have more friends. It’s really incredible to see how people are drawn to her. It’s the sort of social magnetism that only shows up in very special people, and it’s a testament to how she keeps those friends that we’re all here, still wanting the best for her.
She and I have always had a friendship dynamic where she shows me how to have fun and in turn I give her advice on which retirement options she should be utilizing. But with this ass of a year, and despite everything her and her family have had to deal with, I’m so proud of how mature and responsible she’s been. Liza is far too young to have had to say goodbye to so many people, and my hope for her is that she doesn’t lose that magic and fun that is central to who she is. I love you, Liza."
-Nolan Frame
“Knowing the Ginnings family and their love is a gift that I am endlessly grateful for. From the early days of our friendship, Liza understood me, loved me and always offered me the advice I needed to keep heading in the best direction I could. She still does that every day despite being faced with an unfair, surreal set of circumstances. She still gives despite everything. She shines with humor, wit and wisdom - all qualities that I know this family to have fostered. Most would crumble under these circumstances but Liza gets up in the morning and ensures that every detail is attended to. Liza June deserves to be somewhere with a warm breeze on her cheeks and sunshine on her face. Some where her soul can be free to wander for a bit after all of the challenges she has faced.”
-Becca Rosebloom
"Liza Ginnings is a girl who has never needed an introduction. Everyone who meets her will feel at home before one of her hugs that can only be classified as a cuddle. I don’t know when she became my best friend because when you meet her, you’re already there. If you know her well, you know the jokes you share are the kind that make you cry in public with abandon and the memories you share are the kind you’ll share for years. Liza has always been there for me when I needed a dancing partner, a study buddy, a 440 roomie, and a family member. While I’m so sad the girl who has always been my rock needs my help, I am glad to know that she has so many people like me to help her."
-Kait Christopher
"What can I say about Liza that others haven't already? A kinder gal you'll never meet. Liza is the sort of person who becomes one of your closest friends the very same night you meet her. The type of friend who can sense my epilepsy might give me a rough time today, so she makes sure I take my meds before I even have to think about it. Liza knows a lot of us better than we might know ourselves. But enough with the serious talk; Liza is also the kind of friend who will listen to Gaga on repeat with you on long car rides. And she doesn't give me grief when I have to get up three times to use the restroom during a movie -- well, only a little grief. Liza doesn't even think to ask before bringing over a bottle of champagne on lazy Sundays when all we want to do is binge crime dramas and order takeout. I think you get my point. Liza is rad, often puts others first and doesn't expect that in return. We all love Liza!"
-Drew Novak
"Liza is always the one to be there for her friends and family when things get tough. She gives all she can and hasn't had enough time to spoil her self. She deserves a nice break from everything."
-Thom Novak
“If you have met Liza Ginnings, you are her friend. One thing I have learned about Liza, is she has never met an acquaintance. For those of you who have not met the shining light that is Liza Ginnings, I was asked to write a testimonial about this truly one of a kind human. Much like the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower or other monuments of our world, you have to experience her to truly understand her impact and astounding presence. But, I will give it my best shot.
Liza Ginnings is that friend you call on. What I mean by this is, no matter the context, Liza is your girl. Are you stressed and needing someone to distract you with a ton of fun and laughs? Call Liza. Are you hurting and need someone to listen and shower you with love? Call Liza. Are you in need of some tough love, advice and some hard truths? Call Liza. She is the type of person who can and will be there for you in any and every possible way. She is loving, and so incredibly personable that you feel close to her after only minutes of meeting her. Her hugs are legendary, and I truly believe they could bring about world peace with one squeeze. She has incredible strength with enough power to embolden those around her to be a little stronger and love a little harder.
For someone who only radiates good into our world, the world in turn has not treated her or her family in kind. No one deserves what Liza has gone through, but there are also few people who could handle these experiences with the amount of grace and humility she presents every day. I can confidently say that there is not a person who has interacted with Liza that isn’t thankful and humbled by her, and most importantly, has had their life change for the better upon meeting her. To the girl who can always be called on, who has given me strength when I was emotionally frail, love when I was unlovable, and has provided endless laughs and wide smiles, it is time for us and the world to give back to you for a change.”
-Kristy Sanders
BACKSTORY:
You'd be hard pressed to find a single person that having met Liza Ginnings would describe her any other way except; loving, kind, honest, selfless, hilarious, hard working, fun, genuine, and a friend who would without hesitation put someone else's needs above her own. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her brother Noah, or her parents Larry and Deb, then you know where she got it.
Around ten years ago Liza's family suffered a great loss when Noah lost a long, hard fought battle with brain cancer. As devastating as such a loss is, they pressed on never allowing it to harden their hearts. Liza will probably tell you it had a lot to do with Noah and how he chose to live his life despite his unfair circumstances.
I wish I could say their experience with loss stopped there, but in a cruel and another extremely unfair turn of events their family was hit by illness once again. About a year ago Deb was diagnosed with cancer and began her fight. Within months of Deb's diagnoses, Larry was also diagnosed with cancer. Liza immediately took on the role of caregiver/nurse/accountant/companion and much more to her ailing parents. She has fought for them endlessly despite how much pain and anger she has felt. Her father sadly lost his battle with cancer on December 2nd, 2018. And now Deb's health has taken a turn for the worse and she has been placed in hospice. In another cruel hit the family also lost their beloved dog, Roscoe in the midst of all of this.
Without time to mourn the loss of her best friend and dad, she has had to begin preparing for the same loss again. Liza has expressed how the one thing she is really going to need after she says goodbye to her mother is to get away from it all, to have the opportunity to grieve for them and for herself, away from the home where she will have watched all three of her family members take their last breath.
WHAT WE WANT TO GIVE HER:
So please help us to raise as much money as we can to allow Liza to fly anywhere in the world she wishes for a much needed change of scenery, space to grieve, and time to process and begin her long journey to healing. She has mentioned she wants warmth and for her trip to last long enough that she'll need to do laundry at least twice. And we don't want her to have to worry about anything for that entire time.
TIMELINE:
The timeline is uncertain at this point, but we would like to complete the fundraiser and be able to provide Liza with the funds within two months.
She deserves this more than anyone we have ever met, and if you needed any more convincing, here are a few testimonials from some of Liza friends from all over the country:
*****************************************************
"I’ve known Liza since we were two years old. We met in daycare where she tells me she can still remember me holding up two fingers and telling her I was “this many”. (If you know Liza you know she has an epic ability to recount stories.) I was a creative and pretty shy kid, but Liza guided me with her fearless loudness. Her confidence and her friendship taught me how to live boldly and take up space too. Through grade school, theater camp, after-school choir and to this day, she’s been the type of friend who always encourages my imagination and stands up for me when I experience self doubt, or when others would tease or talk over me.
Spending time at the Ginning’s house growing up always felt like stepping into a warm and eclectic universe of freedom, music and fun. Noah was the nicest big brother I’d ever met, and Deb and Larry actually liked each other. I learned a lot observing their family and being Liza’s friend. The hardship that has struck them is the cruelest series of happenings I've ever observed. I'm incredibly thankful that Liza has so many best friends who are here to lift her up right now. Being her friend is a very special honor. I love you endlessly, Liza."
-Megan Toenyes
"I have yet to meet another person on this planet that is as strong as Liza Ginnings. That strength is passed on from her mother, father and brother, and comes through as a bright light that everyone is constantly drawn to. You would never know the kind of tragedy she’s dealt with, and still dealing with, because even through all of this, she’s used that light to continue to help everyone around her. There is not a more wonderful family than the Ginnings clan, no stronger person than Liza, and we are all better people for knowing her."
-Morgan Phillips
"Liza and I have been friends for 43 years, easily making her my longest-running acquaintance. We started getting really close when I came home from college and we’d just drive around for hours and hang out because we were too young to get into proper trouble. Since those first days, every time I come home she seems to have more friends. It’s really incredible to see how people are drawn to her. It’s the sort of social magnetism that only shows up in very special people, and it’s a testament to how she keeps those friends that we’re all here, still wanting the best for her.
She and I have always had a friendship dynamic where she shows me how to have fun and in turn I give her advice on which retirement options she should be utilizing. But with this ass of a year, and despite everything her and her family have had to deal with, I’m so proud of how mature and responsible she’s been. Liza is far too young to have had to say goodbye to so many people, and my hope for her is that she doesn’t lose that magic and fun that is central to who she is. I love you, Liza."
-Nolan Frame
“Knowing the Ginnings family and their love is a gift that I am endlessly grateful for. From the early days of our friendship, Liza understood me, loved me and always offered me the advice I needed to keep heading in the best direction I could. She still does that every day despite being faced with an unfair, surreal set of circumstances. She still gives despite everything. She shines with humor, wit and wisdom - all qualities that I know this family to have fostered. Most would crumble under these circumstances but Liza gets up in the morning and ensures that every detail is attended to. Liza June deserves to be somewhere with a warm breeze on her cheeks and sunshine on her face. Some where her soul can be free to wander for a bit after all of the challenges she has faced.”
-Becca Rosebloom
"Liza Ginnings is a girl who has never needed an introduction. Everyone who meets her will feel at home before one of her hugs that can only be classified as a cuddle. I don’t know when she became my best friend because when you meet her, you’re already there. If you know her well, you know the jokes you share are the kind that make you cry in public with abandon and the memories you share are the kind you’ll share for years. Liza has always been there for me when I needed a dancing partner, a study buddy, a 440 roomie, and a family member. While I’m so sad the girl who has always been my rock needs my help, I am glad to know that she has so many people like me to help her."
-Kait Christopher
"What can I say about Liza that others haven't already? A kinder gal you'll never meet. Liza is the sort of person who becomes one of your closest friends the very same night you meet her. The type of friend who can sense my epilepsy might give me a rough time today, so she makes sure I take my meds before I even have to think about it. Liza knows a lot of us better than we might know ourselves. But enough with the serious talk; Liza is also the kind of friend who will listen to Gaga on repeat with you on long car rides. And she doesn't give me grief when I have to get up three times to use the restroom during a movie -- well, only a little grief. Liza doesn't even think to ask before bringing over a bottle of champagne on lazy Sundays when all we want to do is binge crime dramas and order takeout. I think you get my point. Liza is rad, often puts others first and doesn't expect that in return. We all love Liza!"
-Drew Novak
"Liza is always the one to be there for her friends and family when things get tough. She gives all she can and hasn't had enough time to spoil her self. She deserves a nice break from everything."
-Thom Novak
“If you have met Liza Ginnings, you are her friend. One thing I have learned about Liza, is she has never met an acquaintance. For those of you who have not met the shining light that is Liza Ginnings, I was asked to write a testimonial about this truly one of a kind human. Much like the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower or other monuments of our world, you have to experience her to truly understand her impact and astounding presence. But, I will give it my best shot.
Liza Ginnings is that friend you call on. What I mean by this is, no matter the context, Liza is your girl. Are you stressed and needing someone to distract you with a ton of fun and laughs? Call Liza. Are you hurting and need someone to listen and shower you with love? Call Liza. Are you in need of some tough love, advice and some hard truths? Call Liza. She is the type of person who can and will be there for you in any and every possible way. She is loving, and so incredibly personable that you feel close to her after only minutes of meeting her. Her hugs are legendary, and I truly believe they could bring about world peace with one squeeze. She has incredible strength with enough power to embolden those around her to be a little stronger and love a little harder.
For someone who only radiates good into our world, the world in turn has not treated her or her family in kind. No one deserves what Liza has gone through, but there are also few people who could handle these experiences with the amount of grace and humility she presents every day. I can confidently say that there is not a person who has interacted with Liza that isn’t thankful and humbled by her, and most importantly, has had their life change for the better upon meeting her. To the girl who can always be called on, who has given me strength when I was emotionally frail, love when I was unlovable, and has provided endless laughs and wide smiles, it is time for us and the world to give back to you for a change.”
-Kristy Sanders
Fundraising team: Liza's Angels (3)
Abi Baumann
Organizer
Missoula, MT
liza ginnings
Beneficiary
Morgan Phillips
Team member
Megan Toenyes
Team member