My very dear friend Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer this December a week before christmas. For those of you who know Laurie, you know that she is an extraordinary human being. She is cheerful, loving, kind, and unbelievably strong. She has always put her family and friends before herself.

Prior to finding out her diagnosis, Laurie has been taking care of her dear husband Doug who is diagnosed with Lupus and sarcoidosis of the lungs. He is also in a rough state having to undergo to get infusions and other treatments that he needs. Laurie also takes care of her father in law who is also ill and suffers from dementia. Laurie has to work full-time in order to be sure that the expenses from her husband's treatments are covered. However, we all know that insurance companies do not pay full coverage leaving Laurie to pay for large expenses in co-pays.

Now that Laurie has been diagnosed with breast cancer, her options are to get surgery and the treatments she needs or her only solution is death. It is going to be a challenge for her because she will have minimum funds to help with the treatments she needs to beat this stupid cancer. Some of her medical expenses are not covered and with the everyday necessities of life, money is getting tighter and tighter. Laurie was in her last semester of nursing school, she had to withdraw from her courses in order to focus on her treatments and help herself with budget costs. Laurie is one of the strongest, most selfless people I have ever known and is always there to give her love and support or the shirt off her back to anyone that needs it. Now, it's time that we send back some of that love and support to Laurie. Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help and surround her with love is what is most important so she can focus on beating this thing. Please spread the word. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

-Selina Avella