Hi to everyone. Our names are Mary Chipps and Annie AuBuchon, and we are starting a Go Fund Me page for Laura Grossman. Laurie is the daughter of our lifelong friend Patsy (Patton) Grossman.

Patsy was big-hearted, kind, funny, and what I like to call endearingly irreverent. If she thought you needed help, she would get in her old beat-up truck and head your way to do whatever she could. Then she would throw in a pot of beans, greens, and sweet potatoes and some cornmeal waffles for good measure. She knew how to show up. She knew how to be present and accounted for. She knew how to give without having to be asked. Sadly, we lost her in 2015. We, along with many others, were with her on her final day. Her last words to us were, "Take care of my girl." We have not let her down. Since Patsy died, we have remained close to Laurie. We can never replace her mom, but she knows she can count on us.

Patsy's girl, Laurie, needs help. She has an extremely complex medical history that includes cognitive impairment, mental illness, depression, anxiety disorder, congestive heart failure, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and lymphedema. Due to her mental illness, Laurie shuns most social situations resulting in extreme isolation without friends or a support system. She prefers to be alone, and most of the time, she is. Yet, you will find her to be very kind and compassionate, also shy, funny, bright, and considerate. She does not complain.

In December 2021, Laurie was diagnosed with two brain tumors. In May she underwent surgery to have them removed. One tumor, luckily, was benign, but unfortunately the other was not. Pathology reports revealed a rare type of malignant tumor called Oligodendro Glioma. The treatment recommended was an initial six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation followed by another six months of chemotherapy at a higher dose. Annie is a retired oncology nurse, and in August she moved from St. Louis to Springfield to be Laurie's primary caregiver for the first six weeks. We are proud to say that Patsy's girl done good!!! She completed the first part of her treatment with flying colors.

Moving forward, we are looking at a new set of challenges. For Laurie's second course of chemotherapy, the dosage will be doubled and it will be more difficult with the potential for greater side effects. She will continue to live independently in her apartment, but she will require increased support and supervision in order to navigate well through the next phase of treatment.

Up to this point we have used our own resources, but now we need more help. All the proceeds from this fund will go directly towards Laurie's care: living expenses, transportation, food, visiting nurses, and home health aides.

Please help us to honor Patsy and to give her girl the best care that we can provide.