My name is Matt Taylor,  I am from a small town in Central Kentucky,  and I have a story to share:

Many years ago my mother, Marjorie Taylor, got very sick.  At the time, there was not a specific diagnosis and it was classified as Non A, Non B Hepatitis .  Through the years the disease caused significant damage to her liver.

26 years ago Mom underwent a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  The operation was successful, only minor complications after, and she was able to lead a fairly normal life.

As with all transplant surgeries, the use of imunosuppresant drugs was required.  This caused her to become more succeptible to disease.

Mom's medical history is long and varied. In addition to the liver transplant, in recent years she has gone through two seperate back surgeries.  The first was to provide support for a degenerative issue on her spine.  After two years, the issue came back, requiring a second surgery, replacing the steel rods with longer ones.

In August of 2014, during her annual visit to the Mayo Clinic, polyps were discovered in her colon.  While polyps were not unusual for her, a biopsy was performed,  and they were determined to be cancerous, requiring a full colostomy which was performed in January 2015.  Mom developed a severe infection following the colostomy requiring weeks of IV antibiotic treatments.  But Mom rebounded and was pronounced cancer free - CURED.

While considered minor, earlier this summer Mom had an operaton to repair a hernia that had grown rather large. Hernias can occur with ostomys and the doctors were confident that Mom would have no more problems following this procedure.

In September of this year, three days after her 67th birthday, Mom became suddenly very ill - vomiting excessively, unable to keep any food in her stomach. Through various tests, exams, and procedures it was discoverd that the cancer in her colon has metastacized, spreading through her lymph nodes, into her lungs, and to her spine.  She is terminal, and as I write this, I watch her lay in the hospital bed  at the Hospice wing in St. Joseph hospital.

We are raising money to set up a memorial fund in my mother's name.  The fund will be used for families that are stricken with this viscious disease.  It will be used to help support those that may need help to provide basic needs, food, utlities, etc.  It will be used to help buffer the costs that come along with the medical procedures.

There is an obvious and expected end to all of this.  To set a timeline on a fundraiser, that can, and will help so many is difficult.  Sooner is always better.

To build a fund that will be available in our community, and hopefully help others on a larger scale is the best, and most meaningful way I can honor my mother's life.  She has touched so many in our community.  She has always had the biggest heart, the most love, and the most patience you can ever ask for in a person.  Given what she has endured in her life (medically) she is absolutely the strongest person around, and no one will refute that.

As I consider the theme behind this campaign, #HaveHope, I am reminded of the new song by my sisters favorite band Tenth Avenue North:

As I walk this great unknown
Questions come and questions go
Was there purpose for the pain?
Did I cry these tears in vain?

I don't want to live in fear
I want to trust that You are near
Trust Your grace can be seen
In both triumph and tragedy

I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

But sometimes my faith feels thin
Like the night will never end
Will You catch every tear
Or will You just leave me here?

But I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

So, whatever happens I will not be afraid
Cause You are closer than this breath that I take
You calm the storm when I hear You call my name
I still believe that one day I'll see Your face

And I have this hope]
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me
I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

We have a hope greater than anything - knowing that despite the outcome of whether Mom is healed fully or she passes into the arms of God...our hope is that God is in complete and utter control of the situation.

We are thankful for any and all contributions to this fund.  We look forward to being able to help others in the name of our mother, wife, and friend: 

Marjorie Taylor