I'm creating this GoFundMe in hopes of securing enough to help my daughter, Valerie Flaningam of Freeport, Illinois, during her current health issues. This will cover supplies needed before and after surgery, as well as getting enough to cover my roundtrip travel. I plan on driving so there's no rush or return deadline, to ensure that I am able to get to Illinois to be with her during tests, surgeries, and recovery.

Valerie has been struggling with a wide variety of symptoms, and given my health history, she underwent genetic testing and has tested positive for several diseases, autoimmune disorders, and antibiotic-resistant infections. She has many more labs, scans, and tests to come, and at least (for now) one major surgery in July. Possibly more; only the tests will tell us how far these issues have gone and what will be needed in the upcoming months.

The one thing I know is, even though Valerie has on a brave face today, she needs her mom there when the big answers come back. Anything helps. I figure if our friends and family even did $5-$10-$20, we'd be ready to face these health issues head-on together in no time.