Masterson Family

 

In the summer of 2017, Laura Masterson’s family allowed 800 firefighters and national guardsmen to set up the Jolly Mountain Camp on their property (link).  For months, the camp on Masterson Rd served as a placed of stability in a community devastated by fire. Thousands of homes were saved by these firefighting crews – but today, the Masterson family is likely to lose their own home to foreclosure.

Making matters even harder, Laura’s 22-year old son, Marcus, was just diagnosed with rectal cancer. While his prognosis is treatable, his next step is surgery  next week and will be immobilized and unable to work for several months as he recovers.

Can we help the Masterson’s save their home, allowing Marcus to recover in the place he grew up, and Laura to focus on caring for him?

The family needs $25,000 to keep the foreclosure at bay – and anything additional will go to Marcus’ medical bills.

About Marcus’s Illness:

When Marcus was 6, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Common symptoms include pain and bleeding, and the risk of cancers is much higher for sufferers of ulcerative colitis. A month ago, a mass was found in his lower abdomen. Thankfully the growth of the tumor is limited. Marcus will now need surgery to remove the mass, and a lengthy recovery time.

Marcus has insurance which will cover some of his costs – but there are already out-of-pocket costs for Doctors and medications that are starting to add up.

About the ranch:

The Masterson ranch sits in northern Kittitas County, near the Teanaway river which connects to the Yakima. The land is important to the local Yakama tribes, and the waterways support steelhead and bull trout populations, both on the endangered species list.

The Masterson family recently transferred some access of their land to the Washington Water Trust (WWT), allowing them to better protect water for the local streams and rivers. (Link)

In Laura’s own words…

“My amazing family home started in 1868. My son and I are the fifth and sixth generation of Mastersons to live here. This ranch is the most beautiful place I know. We are the last original homestead in the area still standing. Until the early 90’s we remained a cattle ranch and hay producer.

The thought of losing 100+ years of family history is killing me. This is where I have always come to heal and regroup all my life and can't imagine that gone. I just want to save this beautiful place, so we can continue our family legacy. Maybe finding a new purpose for this land that allows us to help people or animals in need.”

Can you help the Mastersons save their ranch, giving Marcus and Laura their home back during this incredibly difficult time?

Any donation helps. And if you can’t donate, just spread the word. Laura is a very private person and she’s held on to this stress for too long on her own. In the same way that she supported her community during the Jolly Mountain Fires – she needs our help now.