This is my dear friend Sheila and her daughter Maddie.  We've been friends since first grade. Two little girls who met on the first day of school.  We grew up together.  Survived first kisses.  Broken hearts.  High school. Marriages, babies and divorces.  Now all of that seems so easy and sweet in comparison to what Sheila has gone through in the last 2 years.  

Sheila was diagnosed with colon cancer in May of 2013.  She under went major surgery to remove a large tumor.  Following the surgery she had an extremely difficult recovery. Followed by multiple complications.  Late night trips to the ER, additional surgeries and recurrent infections. THEN chemo and radiation therapy and additional hospital stays.  Not to mention endless hours of nausea, pain and worry.   

Sheila is a mom to two beautiful children and has been a foster mom to many Boxers.  Even during chemo, she cared for boxers without homes.  She recently adopted one of her foster dogs named Jody.  Sheila is as tough as nails.  We know she will beat this, once and for all.  

When Sheila was diagnosed, many of us asked, "what can I do?" "How can I help?" And SO many of you did help.  An incredible group of people rallied around her.  Yet some of us still felt helpless.  We wanted to help more but didn't really know how.  This IS how you can help.  Sheila is drowning in medical bills.  Her chemo, radiation and surgery are finished.  Her first round of scans have all come back "clean".  HALLELUJAH!  But recovery is not yet complete.  And the financial burden has been too much and continues to be.  Between her treatment and surgery bills, totaling tens of thousands of dollars, and her ongoing long-term care (medical supplies, prescriptions and ongoing scans and tests), she is buried in medical bills. The bill collectors are relentless.   She is also behind on her every day living expenses, now.  It is difficult to focus on healing and wellness when every day she is faced with a pile of unpaid bills and reminder phone calls.

Sheila was as sick as any one person can be.  Still, she tried to go to work most days and took very little time off.  She worked hard to stay strong for her kids and struggled to make ends meet.  Most of us didn't really know how sick she was.  She complained very little.  Most of us probably know little of the challenges she's still facing daily, physically and emotionally.  Sheila met (and still meets) each day and each challenge with incredible bravery and strength.  

If you are a patient in the medical office that Sheila manages, then she's probably helped you out, a time or two, above and beyond what is expected.  We've all leaned on her with our medical needs.  Maybe you needed an emergency prescription over the weekend.  Or she squeezed you into the doctor’s schedule when there wasn't room.  Or maybe she just helped to ease your anxiety.  Let's return the favor.  She still has a long and difficult road ahead of her.  We can help ease, at least this part, of her burden.  The power of humanity collectively is amazing.  Donate what you can.  You can donate anonymously, or proudly with your name and a note of encouragement! 

Every little bit will help.  This is our chance to help Sheila in a meaningful and tangible way.  Please spread the word through Facebook and Twitter.  Many hands make light work.