Alaina's Angel Fund

Laurie Smith is organizing this fundraiser.

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This past September our sister and friend Alaina, who is a wife and mother of a two year old daughter as well as a step-mother to two teenage boys completed her first 5K run. Shortly after, she began feeling pains in her neck and left shoulder. She went to the local orthopedic doctor in Greensboro, NC thinking that she had a pinched nerve and there would be a quick fix. However, after her pain had become so unbearable the doctor ordered a MRI immediately. The results were shocking, to say the least. This was the first time the orthopedic doctor had seen a tumor located inside a patient's spinal cord and not their brain.

The neurosurgeon she met with shortly after, explained this type of tumor is clinically classified as a brain tumor. However, the doctors informed her that this is extremely rare and they can't explain how the tumor developed inside her spinal cord between her neck and shoulder. At this point medical professionals were almost certain this would be a benign ependymoma. In an effort to remove the tumor, on December 16th., Alaina underwent surgery. After nearly 6 hours on the operating table, the doctor delivered even more unexpected, concerning news. She and her husband were informed that the tumor is cancerous and all of it could not be removed because it is attached to her sensory and motor nerves.

The couple was informed that the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is the best cancer facility to provide specialized treatment for Alaina’s rare condition of cancer called Glioma. As a result Alaina, her husband Chris, and family must now relocate to Houston, Texas for her treatment. She is scheduled for her first appointment this upcoming January 5th., 2015. At MD Anderson, the doctors and their team will develop the best treatment plan required for minimal impact on her body. Her doctors in North Carolina said that this cancer is controllable but it's not medically curable, so Alaina has a difficult battle ahead of her.

Chris, a U.S. Marine Veteran has the responsibility of not only providing love and support for his wife, but he must also find temporary housing and transportation for the family in Houston while Alaina is undergoing treatment. This is coupled with their monthly household bills at their home in North Carolina. Chris has had to take a temporary leave of absence from his job and possibly resign from the Air Force Reserve to support Alaina with this unexpected, life changing event. As medical bills begin to amass for Alaina's treatment, the Simpler family will need all the love and support we can give.

Although Alaina and Chris have been told this condition is controllable but not curable; we believe in miracles and have faith that God will deliver a miracle for her as He is the ultimate healer. So, we humbly ask you to join us in our efforts to relieve some of the financial burden the Simpler family is about to endure. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by everyone in the family.