Hi, I'm Niki and I'd like to share this with you about my friend Laura.

In recent years life has thrown a number of challenges in Laura’s direction – and her latest will test her courage, stamina and strength to the core. Laura has been now been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. The news has understandably turned her world upside down. Her symptoms, as she now realizes, had been put down to Long Covid and a bout of pneumonia.

Laura’s biggest fight yet is set to commence.

After 40 years of friendship – many years during which, as adolescents and young women we were inseparable very best friends – I can describe Laura as one of very kindest, warm-hearted, compassionate and thoughtful people I have ever known. Even when we were kids, she had an amazing innate ability – beyond her years – to empathise with others’ needs and go out of her way to help where and when she could. She’s very smart, intuitive, conscientious and hardworking – but also knows how to let her hair down and be one of the most fun people you could ever have the fortune to befriend.

It’s fair to say that life hasn’t always been easy for Laura. In fact, she’s had to contend with more than her fair share of hurdles, yet she’s dealt with each one of them with admirable fortitude and positivity. Laura sadly lost her husband, Mike, just under two years ago. Laura didn’t find her true soul mate until she was in her forties, only for Mike to suddenly become very ill just two and a half years into their marriage. Yet Laura fought on, using her entrepreneurial skills and diligence to support herself through successful new ventures and always ensuring that she continued to be an outstanding mother to her wonderful daughter, Allison, who Laura raised single-handedly.

In light of Laura’s shock diagnosis, she is now forced to retire early. Having discovered her great gift and love of teaching, this decision did not come easily. She has no illusions: it’s going to be a tough road ahead but she will go down it and she is committed to achieving the best possible outcome, allowing her to enjoy her life and spend time with those most dear to her.

Naturally, Laura is facing very significant expenses for her ongoing tests and treatment. Her precise course of treatment is yet to be determined, but she knows it will be very costly and she has to spend several thousand dollars before her insurance even begins to help.

Every donation is greatly appreciated, whatever size. Even just knowing that people are thinking of her will bring joy to Laura. And right now, I’d like to bring all possible joy to this exceptional friend who has brought happiness to so many others through all of her many selfless endeavors and great sense of fun.

Thank you, Niki