LaCole Bailey

The last Tuesday in November {today!} is known as “Giving Tuesday.”

I’ve always wondered why this important day falls after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday, thus a day when we’re all broke, but I digress.

I’ve had several thoughtful friends ask if there’s a Go Fund Me for my best friend, LaCole Bailey, aka LC/Shaniska/Shanika. The truth is, I had to convince her to let me set one up. I thought her pride was getting in the way, but then she explained that she feels bad asking for help when there are so many people in need.

That’s LaCole in a nutshell. She’s the toughest yet softest person I know.

For those of you who don’t know, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer a little over two months ago. The first weeks of the diagnosis process were quite traumatic for all of us, but now she’s been through 4 rounds of intense chemo and she’s feeling remarkably well. She begins a new round of weekly chemo next Monday, and we’re praying that she continues to feel strong. After scans this week, we’ll soon learn how well the chemo is working. Of course, we’re hoping for good news! But regardless, she’s got a long and arduous journey ahead.

Here comes the Go Fund Me part:

Cancer is expensive. Like, really really expensive. Particularly for those without medical insurance. Every time she walks into the hospital for scans, or chemo, or even makes eye contact with the doctor, she has to pay an exorbitant amount of money. She’s been blessed with generous friends and colleagues who’ve helped her with some costs, which is truly amazing, but it only scratches the surface of the debt that is quickly rising. Cancer is something that can not only affect your physical health, it can permanently ruin financial health as well.

Also, it’s Christmas, and I want her babies, Ava and Travis, to have a little light in this dark time.

On this Giving Tuesday, I’ve set up this Go Fund Me for my lifelong best friend/sister. I never imagined that one of us would be going through this, but we’ve seen each other through all of life’s ups and downs, and this will be no different.

So, if you haven’t already blown your budget on Christmas shopping like me, please consider donating to LaCole and her family. But if you’re broke as a joke til the New Year, please consider giving then. This fund will remain up for the foreseeable future.