Lorie Kirkman kicks cancer, help ease the burden

We've started this campaign to help out a good friend and wonderful woman, Lorie Kirkman. She has recently and unexpectedly been diagnosed with cancer. She had been experiencing back pain in the past few months and believed it to be workout related. After every failed effort to relieve the pain, she drove herself to the ER looking for answers. She was devastated by what was found. As I'm writing this, her diagnosis is relatively new and all of the details of her cancer are not yet known. What is known so far is that the cancer has reached her liver and bones and is compromising the integrity of her spine. Lorie will be going to Mayo Clinic next week to receive neurosurgery to remove some of the cancer and stabilize her spine. Once recovered from the spinal surgery, she will begin a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. The exact treatment plan will be determined by the primary source of the cancer. The answer to that question is still being worked on by pathologists. No matter the type, her body will be fighting a stage 4 cancer because of the metastasis.

Lorie has three daughters, a husband and a whole "little army" (her words) of friends and family who are ready to support her. She will not be returning to work in the foreseeable future and her husband will be taking quite a bit of time off to support his wife and care for their girls.

Due to pain, Lorie is currently unable to drive or perform many of the daily tasks that she was just weeks ago. My hope is that we can come together to help her with some of the burden that this terribly unfair disease has now put on them; gas and overnight stays for treatments and Dr appointments at Mayo Clinic, copayments, housekeeping, medical expenses, household bills and maybe even some to allow for special time spent with her girls. Her family's needs will be changing as she navigates her way through cancer treatment and I hope that we are able to help provide for some of those. Every dollar donated (minus what gofundme collects) will be given directly to Lorie to be used as she sees the need. The greatest needs through all of this will be prayer, positive thoughts, uplifting words and love. Hug those around you, life is fragile♡