My mother, Laura, was first diagnosed with cancer on August 11, 2023. For a time, we held onto hope as she went into remission. But synovial sarcoma is aggressive and relentless. Despite every treatment, every surgery, and every prayer, we’ve recently learned that her cancer has returned, and this time, it is terminal.

Before we get into the sobering stuff, I want to address who my mother is. She is the life of the party! She was a bartender at the local American legion, she has hosted hundreds of infamous "pond parties," and she is well known for her beauty, veracity, bluntness, and sense of humor! She likes to have a good time, whether its playing volleyball, riding dirt bikes, or swimming. She is an animal lover also, her horse Sani, and her dog Sissy are very important to her. But her pride and joy is her friends and family! She has 4 grandchildren, 3 daughters, her parents, and too many friends to count. Mom is a registered nurse, and a great one at that. She was recently nominated for the Hospice Hero award in December! Consider this: working in hospice while battling cancer? If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does!

Even in the face of this devastating news, my mom continues to show the same strength and compassion that has defined her entire life. She is STILL working as a hospice nurse, caring for others in their most vulnerable moments, bringing comfort, dignity, and love to her patients and their families. All while navigating her own battle.

But, that’s who she is!!

My mom has always been the person who gives, never the one who asks for help. She has spent her life taking care of others, often pouring from an empty cup, and making sure the people around her are okay. Now, she is trying to prepare for what comes next in the same selfless way.

Her wish is simple: she wants to take care of her final arrangements so that her three daughters, Kayla, Taylor, and Mallory, don’t have to carry that burden when the time comes. The cost of her cremation is approximately $4,800 which she intends to cover herself, but we want to help her fulfill this wish so she can focus on what truly matters right now: living, loving, and spending the precious time she has left LIVING!

Not everyone would face this moment with such grace and practicality, but that is exactly who our mom is. She is a planner, and an empath who considers those around her before herself.

If Laura has ever touched your life, if you’ve been impacted by the care of a nurse, or if her story of perseverance, service, and selflessness resonates with you, we humbly ask you to consider donating. And if you’re unable to give, sharing this with others would mean so much to our family.

Thank you for helping us support the woman who has spent her life supporting everyone else.

With love and gratitude

Taylor Kahn