Hi, my name is Deanna. I have to say, that this is one of the hardest things I've ever written. However, I am compelled to do so, by my love for these two women. You see I have these two amazing friends who I love like sisters.

1st there's Holly, a Southern Belle, with her larger than life personality, from St. Mary's, West Virginia with a Regent Bachelor of Arts Degree, from Marshall University.

Then there's Lori , a Yankee, who is a outgoing burst of Sunshine, from Aliquippa, a suburb outside of Pittsburgh and who graduated with a Theology Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

So the story begins with Lori teaching the word of the gospel at United Methodist Church of Cape Coral and Holly who was looking for a open and affirming Methodist Church, in the area.

The first time Holly came to the Church to hear the sermon, Lori just happened to be away for extensive teaching in California, but Holly had seen Lori's picture and knew that this was not the Pastor who regularly taught on Sunday's so she came back the following week.

The next week she attended, Lori was there and Lori told me that it was love at first sight, when she saw Holly. They continued to meet at the Church and then outside of the Church with other members and long story short, these two found each other and have been happily married since February 14, 2016.

So this brings us to 2017, when I met Lori at the pool in our community. I was in one of the most dire situations in my life. I immediately felt the need to share my life experience with her without even knowing anything about her and she told me that she was a Pastor at a Church in the area and invited me to come on Sunday. I met Holly that Sunday morning and truth be told we have had a special bond since that first day. Their friendship and love has never waivered which I know to be a real friendship till this day!!

Even though I reside in Colorado now, we stay in touch and I was recently in Florida for my birthday, this October. They drove to Sarasota to meet with my mom, my friend Cindy and myself and we spent a beautiful day and evening together.

I was taken back and in shock when Holly posted last night that she was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Holly is scheduled for a Double Mastectomy on February 9, 2022.

It goes without saying, that my friends are in for a long battle ahead. I am asking for your generosity and monetary support for these two right now, as Lori will have to take time off of work to take care of Holly.

With that being said, they will still need to pay their rent and electric and need money for gas, food as well as car payments and any co-pays that are not covered by the insurance.

I am presently not working due to a workman's comp. injury, however I will do without some things, so I can help as well.

I'm someone who is very hard headed and it takes a lot for me to ask someone for help, but I pray that you can find it in your heart to give any amount to help these two. Please give so that Holly can concentrate on being strong and getting better.

May God bless us all in these trying and crazy times and I sincerely appreciate ANY amount that you can give in their time of need.

With love,

Deanna