Laura, my older sister, has always been a source of strength for her family. Since her teenage years, she’s battled constant headaches and severe migraines, often leading to hospitalizations. Despite undergoing an MRI as a young adult that showed nothing, her symptoms only grew worse over time. She began experiencing extreme tremors in her hands and issues with short term memory, which made daily life even more challenging. Laura underwent carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists to try to solve her hand tremors, but after years of uncertainty, a recent MRI finally revealed the true cause—a 2.2 cm brain tumor that had been there all along, even visible on her original scans from 2013.

Now, Laura is facing a very invasive surgery near her brain stem, with a recovery window of 6-8 months. Despite years of chronic health issues, she raised six wonderful children, four of whom are still living at home and each with their own unique care needs. Raising a family was already expensive, and costs have only grown higher while her ability to work has been reduced. The financial strain is overwhelming, as she will be unable to work and her family will need extra support during this time.

We are reaching out for help to cover Laura’s living expenses, support her children, and fill the gap in lost wages while she recovers from her surgery on March 13. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference for Laura, her husband Dave, their children that are still living at home - Michael, Ryan, Jacob, and Jaycee, and even their beloved pets, Midnight and Yoda. Thank you for considering a donation or sharing Laura’s story—your kindness and support mean the world to our family.