Holmquist Family

After finally finding some relief from the severe treatment-resistant depression she's been battling for years, Laura Holmquist recently learned she has breast cancer that will require surgery, chemo or radiation therapy (or both), and obviously time to recover.

Laura and her husband Matt are parents to six children, four biological daughters and two adopted sons. Homeschooling and attending to some special needs in their family keep them very busy! This is a momma who doesn't have time to sit still and leisurely kick cancer's butt.

Besides their own children, Matt and Laura pour into the lives of others, and are very active in the local Special Olympics scene, coaching multiple sports and fundraising by jumping into frozen lakes.

In short, this is a family that our community needs.

In short, this is a family that needs our community.

Laura's battle against cancer will require trips to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for planning, consultation, and treatment.

While the Mayo Clinic provides some of the best care in the world, this will come with some expense. The Holmquists have insurance, but will need to pay out-of-pocket deductibles and co-pays. Not everything will be covered by insurance.

Matt will need some time off from work to attend to Laura's travel, treatment, and recovery. He's used some sick time from his work at Ottertail Power to take Laura to Duluth for treatment for her depression, but those available sick days could run out with this new wrinkle.

Plus, travel is just plain expensive. Gas, food, and lodging will need to be paid for.

Friends...it's hard to heal from devastating news like this WITHOUT financial pressures. We have an opportunity to remove that stressor, giving Laura the peace of mind she needs to rest, recover, and... 

KICK CANCER'S BUTT.