If you know Lauren, you know that in the history of the world there’s probably never been anyone faster at stepping up to help when she sees someone in need — providing a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, sending meals or money, even delving in to the messy work of helping deal with lawyers, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and paperwork. But now Lauren and her family need our support as she’s hospitalized, awaiting an expected formal diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease after months of on-and-off excruciating pain.

This is hard on Lauren’s body and mind. It’s also hard on Lauren’s husband, Mike, and their two kids, emotionally and financially. With one of their children requiring 24/7 medical care at home — which the family, not outside professionals, has to provide — and Lauren in the hospital for the next week, Mike can’t work for the time being. He also hasn’t been able to work his usual hours in recent weeks due to Lauren’s condition, and Lauren has had to pause her efforts for their fledgling business and her planned return to working in aromatherapy. Now they face an indeterminate amount of time before either of them will be able to work any sort of consistent hours again, on top of having to learn to manage a major new health challenge alongside their family’s preexisting needs.

Even before the medical costs shake out, this is a disastrously expensive emergency for the Bridges family. That’s where this GoFundMe comes in. We can help Lauren, just like Lauren has helped so many of us, by making sure the Bridges can cover their living expenses for the next few months so they can focus on Lauren's health.

Thank you to everyone who can chip in! I hope we’ll have some good updates on Lauren’s condition soon.

*Our fundraising goal may change as circumstances evolve.*