Help Lorraine Be More Stubborn Than Cancer

Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2018, just 2 days before she would find out that the restaurant she was working at was closing and she would be losing her full-time bartending job. Talk about a bad week! Being the stubborn, strong woman she is, she was determined to battle this cancer and come out victorious! The initial diagnosis was that she had two 2cm masses, and would not require chemo or radiation. She expected to be healed up and back to work by the end of 2018, and didn't expect to need help from anyone. However, when Lorraine had the mastectomy it was determined that she actually had a 5cm and 6cm mass, both with tentacles. This meant she would need chemo and radiation, and her plan to return to normal life would be substantially delayed. Before chemo even began, Lorraine developed a serious staph infection from the surgery that left her terrified about her future. Suddenly it became clear that this would be a long journey that would require her to step outside her comfort zone. For a woman who never wanted anyone to worry about her, she was suddenly put in the vulnerable position of realizing she literally might not survive without the support of others. She was forced to stay with her parents for many weeks because she needed extra care and it wasn't safe for her to live alone with her symptoms. This resulted in chemo being delayed by a month, and a very uncertain future. There were many days where she really wasn't sure if she was going to make it! After her staph infection healed and chemo treatments began, her immune system remained weak. Having always been hard-working and independent, Lorraine tried her best to stay afloat financially from the small income she got from unemployment and extra money she had earned as a freelance photographer.  But as the months went on, and the medical expenses grew bigger and bigger with no steady income in sight,  her hard-earned savings had to be spent on life's necessities, and she eventually ran out of money. 

At the present time, Lorraine is still limited in her ability to work like she used to. Her weakened immune system makes it dangerous for her to interact with the public on a daily basis, and her loss of physical strength due to this illness makes it physically hard to function some days. Also, because of her surgery, she struggles to carry her camera equipment for long periods, and therefore, is limited in being able to accept photography assignments. This has been devastating because Lorraine has always worked hard and supported herself. If the emotional toll of that was not enough, having essentially no income for daily living expenses for months now has forced her to overextend her credit cards just to buy groceries. In recent months, she has had to rely on the generosity of family for basic needs. Unfortunately, it's likely she will not be able to return to working full-time until August of this year when her radiation treatments and surgeries are complete, barring any further setbacks. 


If you know Lorraine, you know that she has always been extremely kind, giving and dependable. Her smile and witty personality can lighten any situation, and she is extremely passionate about people and causes she cares about! She never wants to bother anyone and is always determined to work hard for what she wants and needs. Even on this long, difficult journey, she has continued to try to do it all herself and push through the hard times. Being in this vulnerable position is not easy for her, but it's gotten to the point that she has to ask for help. So now it’s our turn to lighten her load and give back to her a fraction of the joy and generosity she has given us through the years.


Money raised from this campaign will go to pay off Lorraine’s current medical expenses first. Lorraine has a high-deductible health plan and still owes $6500 towards her deductible for 2018, and $8000 towards her deductible for 2019. Chemotherapy is wrapping up, but she will still need radiation and further surgeries, as well as cancer-medication for at least 5 years! Any additional money raised will go towards her 2020 deductible and paying down some of the credit cards that she has used to live off of these last few months. If there is any money left after that, Lorraine will invest in self-wellness initiatives - learning more about healthy eating and natural healing, to prevent the cancer from ever returning to her body!


Every dollar that is donated is important and valuable. Lorraine’s battle will continue and she will win, but she needs our helping hand to stay strong and stubborn in this fight! Whether you can give $5, $50, or $5000, Lorraine will be forever grateful for your generosity! Please share this story with others in your community even if they don’t know Lorraine personally. This could happen to any one of us. Thank you for taking the time to read her story!