Support Kristina Heimsch & her family- Cancer with no cure.

My name is Shauna Lambrecht. I am a friend and colleague of Kristina Heimsch. I have known Kristina since I was 16 when we worked at a nursing home together and currently work together as Nurse Practitioners for Rainbow Community Care.

A few weeks ago, Kristina was given devastating and life-changing news.

"I thought I was going to the ER to get help for my back pain, and I found out I had cancer everywhere." – Kristina Heimsch

A Heartbreaking Terminal Diagnosis: Stage IV Esophageal Cancer

Kristina was told she had Stage IV terminal esophageal cancer that has spread throughout her spine, neck, skull, jaw and esophagus. Her doctors gave her the heartbreaking news that it was terminal, meaning there is no cure, and any treatment available will be focused on helping her manage her symptoms to give her some meaningful quality of life.

This has been a complete shock. So many questions of why and how. So many tears.

After a week-long hospitalization, Kristina is now home but is no longer able to work or do many of the things she did for her family. Her pain and weakness have impacted her ability to get up and move around leaving her primarily in a hospital bed in her living room.

Kristina is only 37 years old, a wife, and mother of 4 boys; Krue (1), Kooper (2), Carlos (21), and Cameron (21).

We’re reaching out on behalf of our friend and colleague, Kristina Heimsch, a kind-hearted and dedicated healthcare professional who has spent her entire life caring for others. At 37, Kristina has built a career helping patients and teaching the next generation of healthcare workers, all while raising her four sons.

Kristina’s path hasn’t been easy. She grew up in a tough environment, overcame the obstacles of teen pregnancy, and worked hard to earn her degrees to build a better life for her family. She has earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Doctorate in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner. She worked as a nursing professor at Herzing University for 6 years, teaching and mentoring our next generation of nurses. For the past 3 years she has been serving as a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner at Rainbow Community Care, bringing comfort to patients and families facing the challenges associated with chronic and terminal illnesses.

But now, Kristina is the one who needs support, care and comfort.

Unfortunately, Kristina is no longer able to work, and her husband, Tom, will do his best to return to work as he’s able. Tom will also be taking on household and family responsibilities as well as Kristina’s medical care, and caring for their two youngest sons, Krue (1) and Kooper (2).

How You Can Help

Kristina is not one to ask for help, but now more than ever, is the time she needs help. The family is facing a mountain of medical bills and the financial strain of being out of work. We’re humbly asking for support to ease the financial burden, allowing Kristina to focus on what matters most: spending her remaining time with her family. Any donation, no matter the amount, will help with medical expenses, lost wages, childcare, household bills, and caregiving needs.

Please consider donating to help Kristina and her family through this incredibly difficult time. Your support will mean the world to them, providing comfort and stability when it’s needed most.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading Kristina’s story and for any support you can give. Please share Kristina’s story to help reach support from as many people as possible.

With gratitude,

The friends, colleagues, and family of Kristina Heimsch