My name is Bart Schindler, and I am writing this on behalf of my great niece, Larissa (Speerstra) Larstra, and her family. As many of you know, Larissa has been bravely fighting brain cancer (Grade 4 Astrocytoma) and has recently posted on Caring Bridge that palliative care is her next stop on her journey.

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to ask for your support for this incredible human. Larissa is 33 years old and will celebrate her 34th birthday on May 15th. During her fierce battle against brain cancer, I have been her Friday chemo treatment driver for the past year, and the amount of grace and dignity Larissa has shown has humbled me beyond words. The courage and positivity that she has demonstrated the past three years, one month and ten days has been inspiring.

After enduring surgery, rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and fighting with all her might, the tumor has not responded the way we hoped. Our family is now facing the heartbreaking reality that Larissa is transitioning to palliative care.

Our goal now is to surround Larissa and Justin with love, comfort, and joy. We want to ensure she can experience travel and visiting friends and family in the coming months, not to mention minimizing the crushing stress of financial burden.

Any support you can provide would be deeply appreciated by Larissa and Justin.