Help Laurel defeat Breast Cancer!

To anyone who's come to this page, I appreciate you taking some time out of your day to help my Aunt Laurel, who is just beginning her journey to fight and beat breast cancer. This page is being managed by her Niece, Alie. If you can donate, anything helps, as her bills are climbing, and though the initial surgery is done, there is a long road ahead. 

Laurel's Story -

I stepped into my journey with breast cancer in November 2020 at a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hospital. There, I met the surgeon who was going to tackle a tumor that was discovered during my routine annual mammogram This cancer is called invasive ductal carcinoma, or IDC for short.

When I first got news that I had breast cancer, my body went cold and numb. I have no family history of it. I eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, and have been told I’m an “eternal optimist.” The news hit me hard and shocked my family.

For me, it was fortuitous that my surgery was scheduled for New Year’s Eve 2020. I decided to end the year on a high note despite the circumstances. I wore a 2021 tiara to surgery and brought gourmet popcorn to the staff who were spending their New Year’s Eve working on my behalf.

The surgery went well. The surgeon removed the mass plus four lymph nodes. However, I still face a long road ahead, full of costly treatments to prevent recurrence of the cancer. The next steps for me are possible chemotherapy (pending test results), then daily radiation for period of weeks, followed by hormone-blocking therapy for 5 and possibly up to 10 years—all to prevent cancer recurrence. I am determined to face this cancer as a warrior!

I am so grateful that Alie, my smart, compassionate, extraordinary niece, asked about setting up this funding page for my breast cancer treatment. Having such support means the world to me. Thank you, Alie, and thank you to all who are reading my story.

Laurel