Auntie Eileen needs your help. Damn breast cancer!

My Auntie Eileen was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer a few months ago. She underwent a double mastectomy and the removal of some lymph nodes as well. She's just completed her first round of chemotherapy and is preparing to continue with chemotherapy injections for the next several months. She must return to work in just 2 short weeks so that her insurance benefits will stay active and because, lets face it, short term disability is exactly that- short term. With a long road still ahead of her and the expenses piling up, I would love to be able to take some of the pressure off her by raising some funds to cover the double deductible whammy she's facing.

I've seen this happen so many times where a family has a deductible of $7000 for the year, they get sick with cancer in October, meet the deductible quickly, and then have to pay 20% of all the hospital bills until they reach the out of pocket max of, let's say $10,000. When they finally hit that out-of-pocket max on Dec 23rd they are relieved because they know the insurance will pick up all charges 100% beyond that $10,000. Except on Jan 1 it all resets. And the cycle continues- and Auntie Eillen is starting again from scratch, having to meet her high deductible, pay her 20% until she reaches her $10,000 out-of-pocket max for the year. This leaves her looking at thousands of dollars in medical bills and still a long road of recovery ahead.

Eileen has been a friend to many over the years. Her sharp wit and humor always have us laughing. She is a lover of animals and nature, with an exceptional green thumb, Eileen is always the first to offer a hand to help out. She's also one of my favorite bakers! I'm glad she's fighting the good fight with a positive attitude and her humor intact. But I know the relief it would bring if we could lift some of this financial burden for her.

I'd love to see her get some help now in her time of need. No amount is too small, every dollar is truly appreciated. Cancer is tough enough, being buried in debt while trying to heal, is brutal.

Thank you in advance for your generous hearts and donations. Much love to you all.

~Jamie