Medical Fund For Laura Ahrens
Laura Ahrens put herself through nursing school while raising 2 young daughters. She graduated Riverside City College in 1978, worked for Kaiser Hospital in Riverside until 1980, then moved to Newport Beach, California in 1980 to begin working at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.
In 1984, Laura received her bachelors degree in nursing from University of Phoenix. Remaining at Saddleback Memorial for 32 years, Laura worked in several different units: ICU, CCU2, open heart, tele, and progressive care.
By 2011 Laura was nominated and won The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses; an award honoring nurses that go above and beyond the traditional role of nursing while creating an environment where compassionate care thrives.
In March of 2010, she was diagnosed with Liposarcoma, surgery confirming there was an 8lb tumor in her abdomen. The tumor also caused exenstive damage to one kidney, which had to be removed. She underwent 30 rounds of radiation before returning to her job and her work family that she loved.
However, in May of 2011 Laura was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and had to have a full hysterectomy and and 6 rounds of chemo. Due to the neropathy caused by the chemo, she had to go out on disability.
In May of 2012 - it was discovered that the ovarian cancer had metastasized to the colon, so an addtional surgery to remove a portion of colon was done alongside 6 more rounds of chemo. Unfortunately, Laura then formally had to go out on permanent
disability from the job she loved.
This year in January 2017- thanks to a routine mamagram- a lump was discovered and Laura was informed she had invasive ductal carcinoma (Breast Cancer). Initally, she was told to be in a very early stage, but the lumpectomy found it had spread into the lymph nodes. Once again Laura, is fighting cancer and undergoing chemo, but still manages to keep on smiling and have a positive attitude.
Her family is setting up this gofundme in order to help cover the medical costs associated with treatment. While insurance will cover some costs, the out of pocket cost is extremely high that she has to cover.
Having already looked into various organizations that do offer aid to those who are paying for treatment, most have already spent the funds allicated for the year.
Any amount you can give, will be greaty appeciated and will be used to cover these costs for treatment to help Laura with her battle once again.
On Behalf of her family, we thank you for supporting this wonderful and courageous woman and any donation is appreciated.
