Whether you know her as Angie Thomas or Dr. Lusty, your life has been a little (or a lot) brighter with her in it. Angie is a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and of course, the best doctor to all creatures four-legged. She has always been the first person to offer support wherever it was needed, and her family needs that same support now.

On August 1st, Angie went to the ER with back pain and shortness of breath. Less than two weeks later, her husband of 10 years, their four young children, and all those who love Angie so dearly are saying their last goodbyes. From camping and getting the kids ready for back-to-school, to final goodbyes in two weeks time. To say this has been a shock that Angie's loved ones were not prepared for is an understatement.

An initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer was devastating, but no one was worried that Angie couldn't beat it. Unfortunately, it had spread to multiple organs by the time it was caught, leading to other complications that Angie's body simply could not overcome.

Angie has been an animal lover her entire life, and her career path was always very clear. She attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University (GO GREEN!) where she met the love of her life, Nick. They married in 2015, and had their first of four children, Nathan, in 2018. Liam followed in 2020, Aiden in 2022, and little Nora in 2024. Together, Nick and Angie decided that Nick would be the stay-at-home parent while the kids were young, so that Angie could continue to cultivate the career she'd put so much time and love into. In 2023, Angie and a colleague purchased Pierson Pet Hospital when its founder and namesake retired, kicking off what was to be a new and exciting chapter for the family.

The stark reality is that Nick is now left with the financial responsibility of the life he and Angie have built together over the past decade, at a time when his children need his constant presence. The Thomas family's future is going to look very different than Angie and Nick envisioned, and so much is uncertain. One thing that is certain, however, is that money should be the least of Nick's worries right now.

Please consider donating so that Nick and the kids have a bit of a financial cushion to help them through these very dark times ahead as they adjust to a life without Angie. If you're unable to donate, please share. But more than anything, please keep all of Angie's loved ones in your prayers as they prepare to say goodbye to one of the most beautiful souls this planet has ever seen.