Help Support Lori Kunzman’s Battle Against Cancer

I first met Lori about 5 years ago when she was dating my brother. She’s easy going, quick to smile, and enjoys people. The daughter of Larry and Suzanne Simington, Lori grew up near Lost Island, in Ruthven graduating in the mid 80’s. She married and raised 2 wonderful daughters, Hanna and Emily. She enjoys spending time when she can with her 3 young grandchildren ages 1-7.

Lori has always been a hard worker, spending years working in the health care field. She worked in nursing homes in Spencer and the Lakes area as well as working with home health care services through companies such as Hope Haven, providing compassionate and caring services for the elderly. Recently Lori has worked as a para for elementary students in the Spencer CSD assisting the youth in the community to get the most out of their education.

Unfortunately all that changed at the end of January. After a few months of miserable struggles with intestinal issues, Lori was finally diagnosed with Rectal Cancer which has spread to other areas of her body. As anyone who has gone through a cancer diagnosis can tell you, or if you know someone who has gone though this process, you probably know that it’s a whirlwind of information overload and fast moving decisions. It’s a lot to process in a short time period. After a battery of tests, a port for chemo was inserted, chemo information classes were taken and chemo starts this week. Lori will have to take 6 hours of chemo every 2 weeks and take a 46hr slow infusion bag home to administer additional chemo, returning to the cancer center to have the bag removed after treatment and repeated again for the next 3-4 months. The ultimate goal is to get the tumor small enough to remove it and continue chemo hopefully eradicating any other affected areas so she can be considered in remission.

Lori had to make the difficult decision to take an extended leave of absence at her job at the school due to the fact that her immune system will be severely compromised. She is going to try to apply for SSI disability but it’s a long process that may take months to a year before it kicks in. I felt that someone like Lori, who has spent most of her life taking care of others, helping to make them comfortable, showing them compassion and allowing people to feel safe and secure in some of their most vulnerable moments should have the opportunity to get back a little of what she has given to others. Although Lori has some sick time available, she will need help with her basic living expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, not to mention additional medical expenses her current insurance may not cover. Both of Lori’s parents have passed away, her father from rectal cancer himself. Her daughters have young families and even though they may be able to help with what they can, she’s hesitant to put any additional financial strains on the girls. Lori is a strong woman and has always been willing to help others when she can. She has always tried to pull her own weight but now she’s just going to need a little extra help to push through the next several months.

I realize that money is tight for so many people but a little bit from a lot of people might help get her through until she can get her SSI in place. If you can’t donate that’s ok, maybe pay it forward and share it. Be the change and make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to read Lori’s story and learn a little bit about her. We will try to update donors as she progresses. Keep her in your thoughts. And thank you again!