Main fundraiser photo

Kara McDonald needs your help

Donation protected
Diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer a little over two years ago, after two years of cancer treatment and being cancer free for three, my mother, Kara
McDonald, has reached another hurdle in her cancer journey.  Now, she is losing her ability to walk, medications need to be reconsidered and she has had to make some tough decisions about what she wants versus what she needs.

Even though my Mom has Medicare insurance, it covers the bare bones of medical equipment after,sometimes, a months long process.  For her to have a mobility scooter, would get her out of bed and out doing daily errands that most of us take for granted.  The scooter, plus some other mobility aides, are all out of pocket expenses and although we have found used ones around $700, it’s still, unfortunately, out of our budget.

Karas medicinal needs are also being financially challenged. While the western medications have helped keep the cancer from progressing in the past, they reduce her immune system to being near nonexistent. During these times of covid, when a strong immune system is imperative, taking these medications is a gamble between progression and a life threatening illness.  For Mom, this means leaning towards alternative treatments like Ayurveda, acupuncture and natropathic medicine that would strengthen her immune system rather than weaken it.  These therapies are 100% out of pocket expenses and not available to her without outside help.  She does receive disability payments but they barely scratch the surface of her daily needs.  An initial consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner is $300-$500, followed by weekly treatments and a complete dietary and lifestyle overhaul.  Without help, my mom will not be given the chance to try a different approach that has helped many people improve and add years to their lives.

  On top of all of these concerns, Kara has made the tough decision to scrap her dream of travel, for now, and relocate to Albuquerque, New Mexico to focus on healing and regaining her mobility.  The expenses of obtaining a home, deposits, rent and moving are just another financial challenge, one that was unexpected.  For the meantime, Mom is staying with me in an extended stay hotel as we look for a place to rent.  Although she is officially considered homeless and disabled, the resources in NM are thin and the wait for any housing aide can sometimes take years.   Kara has applied for grants and help from nonprofits, yet nothing is guaranteed and she needs a home now. 

To you it may be a cup of coffee or a night out for dinner but for our mom it is another step closer to a home, possible life saving treatments and medical equipment to help her get around.  Please consider a donation today, however great or small.  My sister and I would love to see our mother be given the chance she deserves. To see her life be taken so early, due to a lack of money, would be a tragedy for anyone that knows and loves Kara.

Thank You,
Harvest McDonald
Donate

Donations 

  • Esther Lipsky
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Jeff Grundmann
    • $20
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $1,500
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $200
    • 4 yrs
  • Mark Piant
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Kara McDonald
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee