I’ve lost count of how many times I have almost died. But I can count the mornings my life was saved over and over, graced by the wisdom and kindness of a stranger. Kayla Lemons and I met in the middle of one of my worst years. She quickly shifted from an occasional coworker to one of the few reasons I have my life back. I am just one of an immeasurable amount of women Kayla has taken the time to pour into.

Terry is Kayla’s pituitary tumor. Kayla introduced us with unapologetic bravery in a conversation she used to give me the courage to heal and continue to piece my life back together. Kayla never complained about Terry. In fact, she spoke of him as a friend giving her life lessons. I’ve learned a lot from Terry myself. But recently Terry has become life threatening. He has robbed Kayla of her hormonal balance, adrenal gland function, and worst of all he’s put her through 6 impossible weeks of radiation. I witnessed Kayla work 12 hour shifts and over time at a rehabilitation facility with a smile on her face, walking beside women in the darkest moments of their life right after one of her rounds of treatment. Kayla lost her job during week 4 of treatment yet, not even 2 weeks later she had found another job working with victims of domestic violence. But two weeks was enough time to almost drain her savings. In between indescribable fatigue, pain, and nausea Kayla remained committed, kind, and resilient. However, Terry has reared his ugly head again and none of us are financially prepared for it. Kayla could lose her house this time…Kayla could lose her job again, her car, her health. She’s already lost her hair, her comfort, and her financial stability. Not only has Kayla suffered but the lives she radically transforms are suffering. More and more people are losing their chance to change their lives for the better in her absence.

This GoFund me is our last effort to offer Kayla as much financial support as we possibly can. The universal human experience of sickness is so much bigger than humanity itself, sometimes our only hope is to unite against this pain with every little thing we have. Maybe, just maybe, our collective efforts will not only help Kayla, but will continue to give her the platform to continue to fuel her gifts that save lives.