Kari's Leukemia Fight Fund

Hello to all family, friends, and anyone wishing to help. We are starting this fundraiser on behalf of our beautiful sister Kari, in an effort to help with the financial burdens coming from her diagnosis of Leukemia. 

Kari's Story: 
Just imagine waking up in the middle of the night with sharp pains in your stomach and thinking it will just go away soon, but it doesn't. It gets worse and has you doubled over in pain until you finally decide it's time to go to the emergency room. You are examined, have blood drawn, and given something to relieve the pain while in the ER. Suddenly, they tell you that you have Leukemia and to get your affairs in order because you only have a few weeks left. The doctor tells you that you will be flown to another hospital within an hour so your son has to call your husband and daughter. Shortly after your husband arrives you are both in a plane on the way to another hospital 500 miles away. You call one of your sisters with the news and ask her to inform the rest of the family. 

We can't imagine what it felt like when they told her that she had Leukemia. What we do know.. is how devastating it was when we received that call. Dawn, Joy, Kari, & I (Merry) are sisters. We love each other unconditionally and have always had a very special bond. We always have a good time when we're together & laugh until our sides hurt. We have always been there for each other not only as sisters, but also as friends. Our hearts are breaking for Kari but we have always been a family that fights. Kari was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). Out of all forms of this horrible disease, CML has a better prognosis than she was originally told in the emergency room. However, it is still a cancer of the blood that she will have to live with for the rest of her life. 

Kari has had multiple tests already (X-rays, Ultrasounds, countless blood draws, bone marrow biopsy, etc.). She will be on a chemotherapy drug daily, for the rest of her life. It will take at least a couple of months for her body to get used to the treatment. There are many possible side-effects, including the possibility of blood transfusions. Her and her husband (John) will have to travel to U of M hospital once a month, which is over 500 miles. On top of that, she will also have regular visits to a lab to get her blood drawn & visits with local doctors. We aren't sure when or if she will be able to return to work. 

Kari & John have been married for over 30 years & have 2 children (Cori & J.J.). She enjoys fishing, hunting, cooking, spending time with family and friends, & of course... searching for agates on Lake Superior. Kari is one of those people that will always make you smile. She is genuine, compassionate, hilarious, stubborn, beautiful, strong, and SO ready for this fight. Her husband John is a hard worker and has always been a wonderful brother-in-law. He has barely left her side since all of this started but is returning to work shortly. 

We completely understand that everyone has their own financial obligations. Contributions come in several forms: financial, a prayer, a hug, a card, phone call, & even a visit. Any of these go a long way for someone who is battling cancer. 

Thank you for taking time to read Kari's Story. We are so blessed and thankful to have her as a sister, mother, daughter, a wife, an aunt, and as a friend.