You may know RaeAnn Couture. She grew up in Richmond, VT and is a longtime resident of Bolton, VT. Maybe you knew her from Mt. Mansfield Union High School, graduating class of 1988. Chances are you befriended RaeAnn during her 30 + years at UVM Health Network. Perhaps you were one of her Relay for Life teammates or donors over the last 20 years while she participated and fundraised for cancer research. Maybe you are a family member or lifelong best friend. Family, friend, acquaintance, or friend of a friend, RaeAnn has been there for each of us, and now she needs our help.

In September 2021, RaeAnn was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma during a routine scan. At that time, she endured targeted high-power radiation therapy to potentially shrink the two tumors with hopes of moving up the liver transplant list, a transplant being her best chance for survival. Although the tumors initially responded to treatment, they came back with a vengeance, with nine new tumors found recently. This negatively impacted her placement on the liver transplant list. The new tumors will need to be treated, and her overall health will need to improve to tolerate the physically demanding transplant surgery. Although the treatment plan is still being reviewed due to the potential impacts of the chemotherapy on other health issues, RaeAnn will soon undergo intense treatment for the new tumors. Her experience with chemotherapy was challenging for her physically, and we anticipate she will require significant care and support and be unable to continue working during that treatment.

Unfortunately, this is not Rae’s first fight. RaeAnn has battled significant health issues for years, including uterine cancer and a thyroid tumor. After treatment for uterine cancer, Rae was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, Henoch Schonlein Purpura (a condition in which your blood vessels leak and your body attacks itself). She continuously fights the disease and the harsh treatments that come with it. Yet, she does this with grace, pride, humor and light. As RaeAnn continues to prepare her body and mind to begin chemotherapy, we do not want the upcoming financial stress to burden her progress. Rae has spent her life giving to others, working tirelessly to maintain her single-income household. She has been a source of strength, generosity, kindness, caring and humor for many as they endure difficult times. It is our time to give back to her, support her, and donate, allowing her to focus on fighting the tumors and overall physical health, impacting her status on the transplant list and complicating her treatments.

Many people have reached out, not knowing what to say or do to help Rae. Although she continues to need your emotional support with messages and prayers, a donation is a great way to help right now. While enduring chemotherapy, she will not be able to work. Not only will she need to maintain her day-to-day expenses, but she will also need to prepare financially for the liver transplant, which will leave her with significant medical expenses on top of the costs she has already incurred. Once she is ready, the transplant will take place in Boston. She and a support person will need to stay in Boston while she heals, adding extensive housing expenses to the financial burden she will already be facing. While the road RaeAnn faces is uncertain, what we know is that, while Rae is a strong, independent, brave woman, fighting with all her might to save herself, she will need all the love, prayers and support she can get. Please support RaeAnn with the gift of a donation today. Any and every donation will help during this difficult battle.

RaeAnn said it herself, “Every bit of what I have I worked hard for, no one gave it to me, all while raising kids by myself, getting two college degrees and fighting cancer twice (and now a third time). Killin’ it Boss Lady.”

If you are able to donate to help Rae on her journey ahead, please know we are grateful for your support.