Hello friends.

For those of you who may not know me, I’m Annie and I’m creating this GFM for my second family, the people who have been there for me (and many of you) for over 25 years. A couple that I admire and love with all my heart. This is for Trisha and Jerry Hollerup.

This is very hard for me to write and was even harder for Trisha and Jerry to grant me the permission to do so.

As you all know, the Hollerups are givers. They give their time, their love, their energy, and open their home to anyone needing a place to go. Whatever they have that you may need, consider it yours. It’s the Hollerup way.

There’s no surprise that COVID was rough on everyone. It was blindsiding for Jerry as he was unexpectedly let go from his company after 20 years of dedicated service. This was a severe blow, but he and Trisha faced this with grace and fortitude. Yet from an outside perspective, no one would’ve known any better. Jerry later found work, and they carried on and made the best of it. Unfortunately, no one realized another sucker punch was just around the corner.

In August of 2022, Jerry was unexpectedly diagnosed with esophageal cancer and thus far has undergone both chemo and intense radiation therapy. He continued working as many days as he was physically able during that time and while this came as a huge surprise to his doctors, those of us who really know him are aware that he’s a true worker so it actually made total sense. His next challenge will be facing a major surgery coming up a few short weeks from now that will involve anywhere from a 7 to 10 day hospital stay and subsequent 6 month recovery period. This time, however, in spite of his grit, it will be impossible for him to return to work anytime soon.

After his surgery, Trisha will have to double down not only as Jerry’s support system, but also continue working to make sure ends are met. Unfortunately, we’ve just learned that the archdiocese, whom Trisha works for, doesn’t provide any paid family medical leave for her to take the needed time off work, and it will be absolutely necessary for her to be able to do that in those first few critical months.

While each of us has our own struggles, the mounting medical bills sitting on their counter is becoming daunting and seemingly insurmountable. This is something they were never prepared for or would want to have to ask for help in handling, but, hard as it is, they’ve also had to realize that it’s time to lean on their community of friends.

If you are in any way able to contribute monetarily, it will be beyond appreciated. Funds will go toward Jerry’s healing journey and toward bills to keep them going during this time. If not, please know prayers and friendship are a renewable source of energy that will never be turned away.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting one of our own. Life is so uncertain and this is a stark reminder that this could happen to any one us, but at the end of the day, we’re all in this together and helping one another is actually what life is all about.