Invaluable educator, Alison Ingle, must win against Leukemia

February 4, 2025

For the sake of California’s San Luis Coastal Unified school community, please join us in supporting Alison Ingle’s fight against leukemia.

49-year-old Alison is one of the most valuable leaders and educators in the community of San Luis Obispo County in California. Right now, Alison is in the throes of leukemia treatment at UCSF (San Francisco). A grueling stem cell/bone marrow transplant is on the horizon. Alison and her family are dealing with the crisis as best they can (this is Alison’s second battle with leukemia), but we are an important part of getting Alison through this terrifying ordeal and back to being an active mom of two daughters, and a leader who helps San Luis’ most vulnerable, special education population.

Alison has always been a person who has had compassion for kids. This led her to get her undergraduate degree in Education from Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo) and also go on to receive a Master’s degree in Special Education from Cal Poly.

After 20 years as a Special Education Teacher in the San Luis Obispo School District, 3 years ago, Alison was promoted to the Program Specialist with San Luis Costal Unified School District, where she oversees Special Education for 4 schools. She is adored by her colleagues and the parents and students who have been lucky enough to have her in their lives. Becoming a teacher is a selfless choice, but becoming an educator of neurodiverse and mentally and physically disabled children is for those whose hearts are bigger than the earth. That is Alison.

It is hard to break through the unease of asking for financial help. Alison and her husband Ted have been sick over this dilemma. No one ever plans to be in this position of vulnerability. But the reality is humbling. Alison has to be treated at UCSF Hospital (University of San Francisco), which is a 4 hour drive from her house in Los Osos, CA. A bone marrow transplant costs 2 million dollars. No, that is not a typo… $2,000,000. Alison currently has health insurance coverage, but only for the first 6 months, and her treatment will last for 12 or more months. After 6 months, in August 2025, Alison will be paying for her own health insurance. Alison does not qualify for Disability, and therefore will not be receiving any money from the government.

When something as severe and life-threatening as a Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant happens, the patient needs a full-time caretaker. Alison and her husband Ted agreed that he will be her primary caretaker. Alison’s medical team told Ted that he cannot work even a part-time job, because Alison’s medical requirements are so immense.

There is a lot more to tell of Alison’s story, her strength, her incredible gains, her setbacks, and ultimately her precarious current position. By donating to Alison’s GoFund Me, you are helping uplift Alison and her family. To keep them laughing the way they always do, and to make sure Alison makes a full recovery so she can go back to being the hero that she is. We will be sharing photos, stories, quotes, fun facts, and of course, updates on Alison’s progress through this year-long life chapter. On Facebook search “All For Alison” to sign up for her Facebook Support Group page, and/or follow her journey on Instagram by searching @AllForAlison. Trust me, you’ll want to come along for this ride.

Please support Alison and help eradicate the financial burden that could harm her ability to beat this disease every single day. In her situation, there are many unknowns, but one thing could not be more clear… WE’RE ALL STRONGER WITH ALISON.

Thank you!

Nicole Conrad (Alison’s cousin)