Supporting Newlyweds Chris & Lacee Gehrke Through Chris's Leukemia Treatment

Life can change in the blink of an eye. For Chris and Lacee Gehrke and their young family, the past few months have brought more challenges than anyone should ever have to face. Chris has served in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves for over 20 years, including two tours overseas. Lacee is a beloved middle school teacher and has been for the past 12 years.

Chris and Lacee are newlyweds and first-time parents to their beautiful 7 month old son. From the moment their little one was born, their journey has been filled with unexpected hardship. Immediately after he was born, their baby was transferred to a children’s hospital where he spent the first month of his life in the NICU undergoing serious medical treatment. Those early weeks were filled with love, fear, and uncertainty, but also hope as they finally brought their baby home.

Just five months later, their world was shaken once again when Chris suddenly became seriously ill and was very recently diagnosed with leukemia.

Chris is currently in the hospital receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, he has been in the hospital since Veterans’ Day, a day that he was looking forward to celebrating, but instead received the worst news imaginable. While he fights this battle, his wife, Lacee, is still having to teach while caring for their infant son and also doing everything she can to be by Chris’s side during the most frightening time of their lives. As a brand new husband and father, Chris should be home bonding with his family, not fighting for his life in a hospital bed.

This diagnosis has turned their world upside down emotionally and financially. Between mounting medical bills, hospital stays, treatments, medications, and the loss of income for both Chris and Lacee as they take time off work, the burden is overwhelming. When Chris is eventually released from the hospital, he will require 24/7 care, something incredibly challenging to manage alongside caring for a newborn. This diagnosis comes with a very intense treatment regimen and it will be a long road to recovery.

We are raising funds to help support Chris and Lacee with:

This GoFundMe is being organized by their Aunt, Deborah Daniels to help relieve some of the financial stress so this young family can focus on what truly matters...Chris’s recovery and their growing family.

Chris is a fighter, and he and Lacee are facing this battle with strength, hope, and courage, but they should not have to do it alone. Every donation, every share, and every prayer makes a difference. Even if you’re unable to give financially, sharing this fundraiser with others is an incredible way to help.

You can also consider donating blood, donating platelets, and/or registering to be a bone marrow donor as a way of paying it forward, and an act of appreciation for those who have already given and are currently helping Chris to recover.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this challenging time. It truly means more than words can express.

With love & deep gratitude,

Deborah Daniels & Family