Jerry & Arlene: Facing Lung Cancer Together

Jerry and Arlene are my in-laws. They are not your typical in-laws. From the second I met them, they treated me as nothing other than their own. They treated my daughter as a granddaughter the moment they met her and have been incredible grandparents ever since. These two people are incredible and mean the world to us. They helped us through everything, from moving houses to helping during my cancer treatments.

Things took a turn in the fall of 2018. Jerry was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. He was a rock through it all and even through his treatment he was there for us, as I was simultaneously receiving treatment for Breast Cancer. He pushed through and never once asked for help in any way, even helping out with my cancer benefit, expecting nothing in return.

Now, in 2024, we received news that Arlene has Lung Cancer. Her tumor is very large and she began chemotherapy this past fall. She has been so brave through everything, still worrying about everyone else before herself. She will undergo surgery in February which will require a several night hospital stay in Green Bay.

As you'd expect, cancer is extremely expensive, even with insurance. Jerry and Arlene are retired so they are on limited income. With all of the traveling, treatments, hospital stays, and medications, it has done a number on them mentally, physically, and financially. We can't help with the first two but the least we can do is try to help with the third. Not only has this disease struck them both, but their car has now stopped working in the middle of the Upper Peninsula winter.

My hope is to raise funds to help them make it through this tough time. They have done so much for me and my family, it is the absolute least we can do.

Thank you for taking the time to read!

-Erin Schmidt, their favorite (and only) daughter in law