Help School Counselor Laurie Beat Breast Cancer

Laurie’s Fight

Laurie has been a dedicated and accomplished school counselor for 23 years, helping students face their problems and overcome adversity. Laurie spent 15 years with the Hillsboro School District and currently works for the Oregon City School District. Now, after giving so much, Laurie needs help overcoming one of the greatest struggles of all – breast cancer.

Even though the diagnosis was found early, the cancer quickly developed. Fortunately, Laurie fought back, just like she has taught countless students to do. She has already undergone surgery to stop the spread of the cancer, but the long and daunting process of chemo has caught up with her, leaving her in need of help. Like any good counselor knows that students need support to succeed, she knows that can’t do this without her community.

Laurie went from being the family breadwinner to being too sick to work. The government is helping her with disability payments, but they are just enough to keep her housed; they don’t even touch the medical bills. Somehow, she is just over the qualifying line for insurance coverage on the open market, and because of her leave of absence to fight cancer, the school district cannot help cover her costs either. This also means that she has been denied financial hardship help by her insurance.

The situation looks tough, but Laurie knows she can make it. Just like she’s taught so many students before, with hard work and support, she can achieve what seems impossible. Laurie has put in the hard work, and now it’s our turn to give her the support she need. Laurie needs help, not just from her friends and family, but from our extended support networks as well. It’s time we show up for her.


The Cost

Insurance coverage is steep for Laurie, with $2,250 premiums each month for the next two months to keep her workplace insurance while she is out sick. That comes to $4,500 to maintain access to healthcare.

Medicine costs are high, too. For just one shot of lifesaving chemo medication comes to $1,357 out of pocket.

Altogether, Laurie needs to find $5,875 to beat cancer. It sounds like a tall order, but we know it can be done.


How to Help

Any amount of giving can help. The costs seem mindboggling, but if we work together we can pay them all.

Can you give $50? If just 30 people give $45.23, Laurie will have raised enough to pay for her shot of chemo.

Can you give $35? All it takes is 65 people donating at this level for Laurie to pay for one month of her insurance premiums.

Can you give $20? With 70 people donating a mere $20, we can cover Laurie’s chemo for the next month.

Even if you can only give $5, it helps.

 

And we know that times are hard! Even if you can’t find the money to make even a small contribution, I’m sure you know someone who does. Please, directly talk to your friends, family, and coworkers. Sharing to your Facebook timeline or making a tweet is fine, but people respond when you make a direct ask – in person is best, but even a private message or email can work. Do it for Laurie.