Dear fellow humans,

I am a big sister who loves her little sister to pieces and is looking for a way to help alleviate some of the financial pressures that arise from medical costs associated with breast cancer treatment (chemotherapy, double mastectomy, radiation, targeted immunotherapy, and hormone-blocking therapies) as well as decreased income from time lost working due to doctor's appointments, mastectomy recovery, and illness related to side effects from her necessary lifesaving therapies.

In 1978, my sister Lacy was born, and it was a pivotal moment in my life. That was the day I became a big sister. Ever since Lacy joined our family, I have been taking care of her like she was my own kid. I let her ride the rocking horse even when I wanted to. I would let her eat the last fruit roll-up, even if I wanted it. I would braid her hair and then re-braid it over and over when she accidentally (or not so accidentally) unbraided it LOL. I make her favorite fried chicken, chimichangas, and cheesecake. She and I have been together through our parent's divorce, our step-father's passing, gobs of birthdays and other holidays, family vacations, and unfortunate traumatic life events. One of the most exciting things I was there for was the birth of Lacy's first child. And then, her second one almost three years later. Watching Lacy love her two boys and be a mom (which she dreamed of since we were little kids playing make-believe) has been an honor. And watching her fear for her life and the future of those boys since she was diagnosed with breast cancer last July has been heartbreaking.

Many people in this country lose everything from the cost of their healthcare related to serious illness, accident, or chronic health issues. Medical care is EXPENSIVE! And so is life, generally, with inflation, and eggs now costing like $17 per dozen LOL. Lacy is feeling extreme financial stress. And this I can't stand idly by and watch because she needs to be putting her energy and power into healing her sick body and being a mom. Therefore, I decided to create this GoFundMe to try to decrease her financial burden and allow her the time and energy to put towards her health and her kids.

This money would be used to pay for monthly medical insurance premiums (so she can stay insured). She is a realtor and a single parent, which means she doesn't have insurance options through her job or a spouse. She is on her own to pay for private medical insurance.

This money would be used to support general life expenses such as food, car payment and car insurance, and other necessities. This is not a frivolous request to be used for frivolous things; it is for sustaining life and the life of her kids.

I would like to assure you that if there were another way to help with her finances, we would be doing it. Could she get rid of the Honda SUV she has? Yes. But what you don't know is the interest rate she has is better than one she could get now, so that isn't the answer; it would likely be a wash. Should the boys' dad do more to help? Yes, he should. But he doesn't and can't, so while that is a fun thing people try to offer as a solution, the reality is that it is not an answer. Could she sell her house? Yes, but since you don't know the particulars of her loan and interest rate, combined with the cost of moving and the effort to find a new home, that also isn't a viable option at this time.

I would not ask others to help if I wasn't willing to help myself. I have taken a loan against my 401k that will go to Lacy as soon as the check arrives at my house. And that is all the financial help I am capable of doing by myself, so I have to get real humble, real quick, and ask for the help of friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers. I trust that everyone has the empathy to put themselves in Lacy's shoes and understand how scary and stressful a cancer diagnosis is, topped now with the burden of mounting financial pressures. For those of you who know me well, you know that if I am asking for help, the situation has reached level critical because I don't really do that unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. And at this time, your help is absolutely necessary.

I want you to know that there is no minimum ask. I also want you to know that I understand that not everyone is in a position where they can provide a gift of financial support, but that doesn't mean you can't help. SHARE this GoFundMe. SHARE it far and wide! The more people who see it, the more opportunity to reach people who understand, who have been there before, who have had a loved one in a similar situation, who are able, willing, and ready to share what they can with Lacy, and in turn, the boys.

Desmond Tutu said, "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."

From one human to another, I am asking for your help. And as a loving big sister, I am asking that you help my little sister, Lacy.

Thank you for reading through this. And thank you for any gift you're able to make. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. And I know that Lacy will have a lighter spirit by the kindness and generosity you share on her behalf.

With love and gratitude,

Jess