The Storrs Family Medical Fund

This website has been created by Julie Hom and Michele Hagstrom.

Dear Friends and Family,

  We are sending this in hopes that you will feel compelled to help our friends in need, Dan Storrs and his wife, Larisa.  They have an unbelievable and unfortunate story...

  Dan, a San Diego native who grew up in University City, met Larisa while she was vacationing from the Ukraine twelve years ago.  Fast forward, they married and are loving parents to their 8-year old daughter, Dasha.  They are genuine, down-to-Earth, nice people who never ask for help.

  Unfortunately, January of 2013 brought difficult news.  Dan was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.  After a difficult recovery from a complicated surgery, chemotherapy followed for six months.  Dan had residual severe neuropathy which left him unable to work, since his occupation was a driver’s training instructor.  He also lacked adequate health insurance which resulted in Dan and Larisa having to spend down what savings they possessed.

  During the eighteen months of Dan’s ordeal, Larisa became Dan’s main caregiver while also caring for Dasha.  Unimaginably, Larisa developed internal bleeding during this time but ignored the symptoms because she wanted to be there for her family.

  While Dan went into remission with his cancer, Larisa was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer which metastasized to her liver in the Summer of 2014.  She cancelled her annual trip to the Ukraine and began chemotherapy.  In a role-reversal, Dan became her caregiver while assuming full care of Dasha.

   As Larisa recovered from her chemotherapy, Dan unfortunately received news at his two-year mark of cancer remission that his cancer had spread to his liver.
Now they are alternating turns taking chemotherapy.  They both fight to be present for their little girl, Dasha.

 But the story takes an even crazier turn…

Larisa and Dasha recently went to the Ukraine to visit Larisa's family and in particular her ailing parents for possibly the last time.  While there, Larisa got into an accident  and suffered a fractured hip and shoulder.  Surgery was performed to fix her hip (with the help of a generous friend who paid for the procedure).  She is awaiting shoulder surgery.  Extensive rehabilitation will be necessary before returning home to the States.

We are hoping for a speedy recovery for her, so she can get back home and start her next round of chemo.  Dasha also needs to be able to get back home in time for school in August.  They missed their flights and now had to purchase new expensive tickets to return home.  Dan has indicated that they are nearly broke.

This story seems so surreal, but it is real life for this family.  Larisa and Dan have worked so hard to fight for their lives all while trying to care for Dasha.  They worry often about her future.

This is where you come in.  We are trying to raise as much money as we can to help them.  The Storrs are such nice people and giving them a little hope in such a time of despair would mean so much.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and your support will be greatly appreciated!

What will the money be used for:

·         Continued medical expenses

·         Establishing a future education fund for Dasha
 
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding this.

Thank you,

Julie Hom and Michele Hagstrom