February 2026 Update
Hi, Donors, Family & Friends!
I have some updates for you about Laura.
The past year has been harrowing and intense, somehow still sprinkled with Laura’s signature humor and determination to keep moving forward. As she starts radiation this week, we have another opportunity as a community to show up for her.
Pictured: A recent photo of Laura
New Fundraising Goal
Thanks to generous donors, we were able to exceed our original goal and raise $11,862! This has helped Laura pay for:
- doctor visits, chemotherapy and surgery
- living costs while she's unable to work
- supplies and care that have helped improve quality of life
Due to ongoing costs and new challenges, we're hoping to raise $5,000 more, bringing our target goal to $16,862. This will help pay for:
- an unexpected recent hospital stay
- radiation treatment
- loss of income due to delayed ability to return to work
Laura's Year of Battles
Pictured: Laura sarcastically cheering while in a hospital gown
While there have been some wins, the last year has been incredibly grueling for Laura — filled with intense treatments, lasting side effects, and difficult delays.
- Laura underwent 5 months of chemotherapy from April to August. One series of chemo, often nicknamed “The Red Devil” for its harsh effects, was especially tough. Thankfully, the treatments were successful, but surgery and radiation were still necessary.
Pictured: Laura inspects the effects of chemo on her hair
- Medication side effects caused chronic damage, including painful carpal tunnel, which will require another surgery.
- In November, Laura had major surgery. It was delayed due to scheduling issues, adding stress during an already urgent time.
- After two months of recovery, she developed a serious infection at the surgical site and was hospitalized for six nights. Emergency surgery was needed, pushing radiation back 4-5 weeks later than planned.
Pictured: Laura's perspective in her hospital bed January 2026
- Laura was expected to be finished with radiation by now. Instead, she is just beginning this week — nearly a year after her diagnosis. These complications have also prolonged her time out of work.
What Keeps Laura Going
Pictured: Laura with her sister Madeleine, Christmas 2025
- Your well wishes, thoughtful gifts, and financial support have reminded Laura just how strong the community around her truly is. She feels incredibly lucky to have friends, family, and her boyfriend by her side.
- In the middle of all of this, Laura's doctor helped make space for a dream opportunity: a 2-week film shoot in Nebraska, where the producers warmly accommodated her needs. The film was a beautiful, bright moment, working with kind people and doing what she loves.
Pictured: Laura with the cast & crew (L) and a still of her acting on set (R)
- Most importantly, treatment has been successful. Her medical team has provided compassionate care, and while the effects of this past year will linger, she is now entering one of the final stages of treatment.
What the Future Holds / How You Can Help
Laura is starting radiation this week: 20 rounds, one every weekday until March 11th. The doctors are optimistic. The road ahead includes at least one more surgery, follow-up visits, and monitoring.
Pictured: A recent photo of Laura
If you’re able, we hope you’ll consider donating to help get Laura through this stage. If donating isn’t possible right now, you can always share this GoFundMe on Facebook or call/text Laura to send encouragement, during radiation and beyond.
Thank you again for the love and support you’ve already shown. It has made a real difference and continues to carry her through!
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May 2025 Fundraiser
I'm Rochelle--a long-time friend of Laura Welsh--and I'm raising money to help her win her fight against breast cancer.
Note: This fundraiser's goal is based on her expenses so far and may be increased later as further expenses arise.
Laura's Story
In February of 2025, Laura's life was full of exciting plans:
- Her sister Madeleine had recently come home after years living in Europe.
- She had just signed with an LA agent for acting.
- She was booking a show at a theater with her sketch comedy group.
- She had been cast in an exciting film project shooting this summer in Nebraska.
Pictured: Laura and her sister Madeleine.
Pictured: Laura's sketch group, Pretty Kitty Glitter Party .
Life Changed Instantly
But when Laura discovered a lump in her breast, an ultrasound revealed the news that no one ever wants to hear: Laura had cancer.
Suddenly, her life was riddled with appointments for invasive scans and biopsies. After several anxiety-inducing weeks, tests revealed that Laura had Stage 2, Grade 2 IDC Breast Cancer--meaning: the cancer had spread outside of her breast to a nearby lymph node. Thankfully, no cancer was found in her liver or bones.
Pictured: A snippet of Laura's public announcement to friends and family.
What Laura is Facing
Laura's dreams have been put on hold for an unknown amount of time. She can only do a fraction of what she had planned, and she now faces months of treatments:
- 12 rounds of Taxol chemotherapy, 1x/week
- 4 rounds of AC chemotherapy, every other week due to intensity
- surgery
- radiation
Chemo will last until at least August of this year, and a timeline for surgery and radiation are not yet known.
Treatments are harsh on Laura's body, with a host of side effects she has to manage with impeccable self care, prescriptions and medical supervision. As you might suspect, she might also lose her hair, but she is working to prevent that with a cold cap--shown below.
Pictured: Another snippet of Laura's announcement on social media.
Pictured: Laura in her cold cap to prevent hair loss. As you can see, our notoriously humorous friend Laura continues to be funny during what she has sincerely described as the most terrifying time of her life.
It's important to note that Laura is not alone in her fight. Her boyfriend, family and friends attend doctor appointments and chemotherapy sessions and help her at home with day to day needs. Laura is grateful to be surrounded by love.
How Your Donation Will Help
Medical costs for cancer are a huge financial burden. Funds raised will help Laura with:
- mounting medical bills
- lost income from reduced ability to work her 4 jobs
- ongoing quality of life expenses (wigs, cold cap, compression gloves/socks, head wraps, gentle skincare/hypoallergenic products, hired help, etc.)
- preventative health measures that preserve future quality of life based on potential impacts of chemotherapy
NOTE: Laura hopes to celebrate at Disneyland when her treatments are done. I think that's an amazing idea and would like her to be able to use a small fraction of these funds for her Disneyland trip too. :-)
Pictured: Laura on a Disneyland ride. Let's get her back to her one of her favorite places!
Other Ways to Support Laura
I know that times are tough financially for many right now, and it won't be taken personally if you are unable to donate. You can still support Laura by:
- Sharing this GoFundMe campaign directly (Putting the link in comments is best for maximum visibility).
- Sharing, commenting or liking other people's posts about this GoFundMe on social media platforms.
- Sending cards or occasional words of encouragement via text or social media.
We Love You, Laura!
Laura brings humor and kindness to everyone she meets, including her colleagues in the acting world who rave about working with her. She continues to be the most determined and funny person I know, powering through despite these devastating circumstances.
Let's give Laura back the joy she brings to others. Let's help Laura get back to the life she loves!
Pictured: Laura's hilarious character, Tina Beefs.
Pictured: Laura acting in a sketch.
Follow Laura on Facebook or Instagram for health updates, and feel free to message me with any questions about the fundraiser. Thank you so much for donations of ANY size!
Pictured: Laura at Bodega Bay having a blast on a commercial shoot.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Welsh
Beneficiary