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Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
Today, we reach out to you with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency. Our dear friends, the Ludes family, have faced unimaginable challenges, and we are compelled to seek your support during this difficult time. With their permission and our unwavering dedication to them, we humbly ask for any amount of financial assistance that you can provide. Your contribution, no matter how small, will have a meaningful impact on their lives.
We believe in the power of unity, and if you are unable to make a personal donation, simply sharing their story on your social media can help us reach others who may be able to contribute. Moreover, their journey may inspire others facing similar hardships. We understand that times are tough for everyone, and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read about our GoFundMe campaign. We hope that their story blesses you as much as the Ludes family has blessed us and their community.
Their life and their love story are truly awe-inspiring. Our goal of $300,000 is simply to match the amount of life insurance Mark had purchased for his family in the event of his passing. Unfortunately, his insurance expired just a week before his diagnosis. We remain hopeful that we can achieve or even surpass this goal, but any amount you are able to give will be a tremendous blessing to the Ludes family.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
As long time friends with the Ludes family, we found ourselves grappling with the devastating news that has befallen Laurie and Mark, two cherished souls who have touched countless lives. At this time, Mark, a remarkable husband, father, and friend, is facing the cruel realities of cancer for the second time. Oral squamous cell carcinoma has invaded his body, leaving him unable to eat or drink normally again (and this time around, it is incurable). The pain he endures is unimaginable, and literally brings him to his knees. As he battles with cancer, he is suffering in constant agony, robbed of the simple pleasures that many of us take for granted. As his friends and fellow believers in Christ, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of his absence. He has had to resign from his work at Hearthwood Elementary School, where he used to serve as a beacon of kindness as the lunch monitor. The children loved him so much. The void left by his absence is felt deeply by the students, teachers, and parents alike. Most significantly, their son Jonathan, who has Autism, relied on Mark's unwavering love and care, is left bewildered, yearning for his father's presence in his life. Their daughter Ashlee no longer lives at home, but is broken as well.
Meanwhile, Laurie, his wife, mother, and our friend of immense strength and resilience, has become the sole provider for the family. Pouring her heart and soul into her photography business, she tirelessly strives to make ends meet for her beloved husband and son. However, the weight of caregiving responsibilities and the impending financial burden threaten to overwhelm her, leaving her teetering on the edge of exhaustion and despair. To compound this already dire situation, Mark's life insurance, their safety net, expired just a week before receiving his devastating diagnosis, leaving them vulnerable to the precipice of financial ruin. With Mark’s situation, his Life insurance would now cost $8k/mo. Unaffordable to say the least. This has Laurie afraid of her financial situation, and ability to keep their home.
In this moment, we implore you to join us in changing their story. Together, we possess the power to lift the weight from Laurie's weary shoulders and let Mark know that his family will be ok. He is full of grief and anguish not knowing how they will get by. By offering our support during this arduous journey, we can help alleviate the financial strain that hangs over their heads. Your generosity will grant Laurie the precious gift of time to be fully present with Mark in the face of unimaginable adversity, while also providing them with the peace of mind to focus on their emotional & spiritual well-being.
Additionally, we invite you to explore Mark's passion for music, a lifelong pursuit that has brought joy to so many. For over five decades, he has poured his heart and soul into creating melodies that touch the depths of our souls. As the lead guitar & singer as well as saxophone player, for Tumblin' Dice, his music once reverberated through the walls of The Swallows in San Juan Capistrano, Silky Sullivans, and numerous other locations... captivating the hearts of all who listened. He also jammed with great friends and fellow musicians in Vancouver, WA since 2004 and later they called themselves, Rubbish! He LOVED all of his friends and family that would attend their ‘gigs’. While Mark's health prevents him from creating new music, we can honor his talent and dedication by immersing ourselves in the beautiful compositions he has already shared. We encourage you to visit his YouTube Channel, where his heartfelt songs await your appreciation. Please show your support by liking, sharing, and leaving a comment, reminding Mark that his music continues to resonate deeply.
https://youtube.com/@MyVoice911?si=N09pIu-jwap3urrD
If any of his songs strike a chord within you, consider downloading them from iTunes. In doing so, you not only uplift Mark's spirits but also contribute to their financial stability during this tumultuous period.
We beseech you to embrace the urgency and magnitude of this plea. Let us unite as a global family, bound together by love and empathy, to ease the burdens that threaten to overwhelm Laurie and Mark's spirits. Your generosity and prayers will not only provide them with the gift of time to cherish each other but also help alleviate their financial struggles and strengthen their faith in God.
With a heavy yet hopeful heart, we express our deepest gratitude for taking the time to read this heartfelt appeal. May your hearts be moved to take action, extending a helping hand to those in need and making a tangible difference in the lives of Laurie, Mark, and their children. Together, as family and friends, united as the body of Christ, and supporters from around the globe, we can weave threads of compassion that will forever be etched in the tapestry of their lives.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity,
Chris & Caitlin Kim
Organizer
