Hi, we are Peg, Lisa, and, Aimee and we are inviting you to join; Kara's Kourage Squad. A campaign to help raise funds for our kind, Kourageous, Kharismatic daughter and sister, Kara Carver. Yes, we know how to spell- we are doing a playful spin on words for a very unplayful cause.

Kara is a beautiful and brave mother of two, wife, daughter, sister, friend and so very much more who has recently been diagnosed with: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Lymph Node-Positive Disease- Stage 3.

Aka: Wicked, brutal, breast cancer requiring intense chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and so, so much more.

While Kara and family do have insurance alas... it only stands to scratch the surface of the expenses this small family is facing. Kara is currently mapped for a 12-18 month aggressive treatment plan as well as a series of extraction surgeries. Already, only two months into said treatment plan; Kara and family are looking at projected out of pocket after insurance expenses upwards of $75,000.

A daunting amount for most any family, however; a fearfully crippling amount for a family in dire straights due to the almighty ailment we all whisper with a hiss- cancer.

Our sister, daughter and mother of two, should be doing things a mother of teenagers does; white-knuckling the door handle while teaching her 16-year-old to navigate the snowy streets of Lead, South Dakota. Trudging through common core math, science fairs and book reports with her 13-year-old and, scrounging the bottom of her purse for Friday night snack shack monies. Again, while she tries- Kara finds most of her time, energy and efforts channeled into fighting for her own survival day in, day out.

Kara is one of the most vibrant, brilliant, kind and courageous women we have ever met and despite our rallying as a family, the ends from us all simply are not meeting the ever-stretching ends. We humbly call upon you, your compassion and empathy, to help us... help Kara.

Help us to ease her already overburdened mind and heart by helping us put monies in the bank to help cover the ever-mounting costs which quickly grow out of hand and out of control when fighting for a life in a time and space that health insurance and full-time employment is simply not enough.

All funds raised for Kara will go towards the following:

-Treatment and medical expenses not covered by insurance.

-Multitudes of scans and invasive tests.

-Appointments with specialists, and chemotherapy every 21 days with over an hour's

drive there and back.

-Travel expenses to and from the above-mentioned appointments.

-Counseling of her children who are doing their best to cope.

-Living expenses due to Kara's inability to work full time and, her husbands' expended

PTO to assist with Kara's and the children's care.

Kara is a proud woman, and we are a proud family, but even the proudest among us come face to face with the absolute appreciation of the words; "Please Help", with humility, grace and gratitude. This is our face to yours, and we are grateful to you and anything you can offer; no dollar is too little as every blessed cent counts.

We are doing our best to keep our heads and spirits high for our dear beloved sister and daughter, Kara. Therein we created; Kara's Kourage Squad- to inspire hope, and invoke strength and community support in raising funds, awareness, and love...

Join us today, and help KEEP KARA KOURAGEOUS!

With Gratitude and Love- Peg, Lisa, Aimee and the entire Carver/Richards Families (Aka: KARA'S KOURAGE SQUAD!)

#karaskouragesquad