This gofundme was started by friends of Laura McGhinnis who continue to walk alongside her as she fights stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Our hope is to ease the financial burden caused by the cancer and provide meaningful family experiences for Laura, Katie, Jacob, and her grandson, Jordan.

Why Laura?

In the fall of 2020, Laura found herself a newly divorced, single mom attempting to teach students with significant learning needs in the midst of a global pandemic. She was then diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and given 12-18 months to live. Many would have crumbled in her situation. But Laura is strong. Laura began treatment immediately, often working with her students on zoom from the chemo chair. Laura is a woman of faith. Even on her hardest days, she loves and trusts God, believing in the goodness of people. Laura loves hard. She is an honest and selfless giver. She is beloved by her family, her Voyager coworkers and her church, Yates Baptist Church. None of this changed when she received the diagnosis or in the years following…

She took on cancer like she takes on scrapbooking: all in, to the best of her ability, and with a little help from her friends.

Though Laura has beaten her original odds, the cancer is still in her body, and she will continue to receive chemo treatment every other week that, while helping to save her, wreaks havoc on her body, leaving her weak and sick for many days.

Throughout the last year, Laura has been so grateful for your heartfelt prayers, encouraging words, cards, meals, visits, and many, many acts of service that have been so generously bestowed upon her. And though she was hesitant to ask for money, her friends and family encouraged her to start a gofundme to allow a place for people to donate in a tangible and life-changing way to her future and her children’s future.

Why $25,000?

*Medical Expenses:

The most immediate need your donation will meet is to pay off Laura’s $5,000 in medical debt. She has kept up with her bills prior, but the reserves are low, and we would love to be able to lift this burden immediately.

Secondly, we would like to raise an additional $5,000 to cover medications, deductibles, treatments and other medical costs over the next year. January begins a new plan year for her insurance and new deductibles.

*Family:

We asked Laura what she would most want for her family during her remaining time. We encouraged her to dream big and think about her bucket list.

Laura would love to be able to pay off the remainder of Katie’s car ($9,000), so that when she is gone, Katie does not have to take on the debt.

She would also love to have “one more family vacation” with Katie, Jacob, Marrissa, and Jordan. Perhaps a weekend cruise as she has never been on one before! Or maybe a brightly colored hot air balloon ride high above the city at sunset.

Though paying off medical expenses is the top priority of this gofundme, we are hopeful we will be able to raise enough money to help with the car and provide for special family moments of Laura’s choosing. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.