Hello Everyone,

I am the mother, Karen Laverdiere, of a precious and only daughter, Josie Laverdiere Mooneyham who has been very sick for 5 months; dealing with pain and being extremely uncomfortable. She has had to endure several procedures: an EKG, endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, inner ultrasound, outer ultrasound, blood work, and urine tests. Each time they have found something but nothing to do with what is going on with her. Her stomach has been swollen 5 times the size (she literally looks 6-8 months pregnant half the time). We all have been scared with the outcome being ovarian cancer, but with God’s grace she does not have it.

Josie’s medical journey started with a GI doctor who has never had a sit-down examination with her; met him while she had an endoscopy. He had told her 3 different diagnoses (small case diverticulitis, collagenous colitis, and last was told microscopic colitis). She has never been given medication. The GI doctor didn’t know what could be causing her swelling and pain, so he sent her to an OB-GYN. Well, OB-GYN didn’t know what’s wrong with Josie after all the tests they referred her back to the GI.

She has missed a lot of time from work and cannot live in the bed or on a couch which is the only comfort she gets. My daughter believes that someone is missing something, and she has been treated differently because she is a self-pay patient with no medical insurance. Josie has paid out thousands of dollars and has now accumulated so many costly hospital bills and still no answers to what is ailing her.

It’s not been easy on her family; she is beyond tired physically and mentally. So, she and her wife, Boodie, decided to get out of Sumter and get help somewhere else for a second opinion. Well, the new OB-GYN has diagnosed her with endometriosis and has a very large cyst on one of her ovaries. This explains all the pain and possible swelling she has been dealing with. We are praying that she doesn’t have cervical cancer.

Josie is now scheduled for a full hysterectomy surgery on January 5th, 2022 and will be out of work for an expectancy of 4 weeks or more. The effects of this illness and the medical costs have been devastating for her family. Josie has a fierce spirit with a big generous heart of gold, and she is very independent therefore never depends on anyone but is always there for others. She gives and gives without expecting anything in return. A mother's request: Prayers and please help her out financially.

We can help Josie and her family ease the financial burden and the resultant stress that the family is facing. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for them by April 28th, 2022. Please consider making a generous donation today/before her surgery date-January 5th, 2022 , toward our $20,0000 fundraising goal.