Team Lisa: Pancreatic Cancer Battle

My name is Carrie Ferguson, and I am setting this up on behalf of my aunt Lisa Cranmer. Lisa’s the kind of person who would tell me not to do this as she is not the type to ask for help, but rather be the helper. She doesn’t even like when I buy lunch. However, now it is different.

Lisa lives in Colorado with her husband and beloved pets and has been close to me from my childhood when I would visit and ski with her. Despite always going to the coldest places and freezing my toes off, I’d still want to go back. Through college and after, she and Jim would watch my hockey games, help me when I had no idea what to do with my car, and always have a place for me. Now, she and Jim share their love of fishing with my kids.

On November 20th, she received the devastating diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer. She had been sick with stomach and back pain since July and finally after numerous tests and procedures the cancer was diagnosed. It has spread to her spine, adrenal glands, lymph nodes and the bottom of her lungs. Unfortunately, she is in a tremendous amount of pain and getting worse.

There is no cure for this stage of pancreatic cancer, and many people like my aunt have late diagnoses. Lisa has elected to not go through chemo and treatment, as she did not want to spend her remaining days ‘sick and miserable’, but to enjoy the time she had with her husband, pets, friends, and family. She has elected to just have the palliative care necessary to make her comfortable.

With the symptoms and pain, Lisa has not been able to work since July. She and her husband Jim are self-employed and Jim understandably needed to take time away from his business to take care of Lisa. Their insurance has not taken care of many costs, and high deductibles and co-pay bills are piling up in a time where the focus should be on the time Lisa has with us. She wanted her last days to be enjoyable, and my family would greatly appreciate any help to assist with the hospital bills and upcoming hospice. The average out of pocket care needs can be $10,000-30,000 a year, not including the burden of indirect costs for treatment and lost wages, and the unfortunate final expenses.

Any donations no matter how small will be greatly appreciated. Even if you're not in a good place to donate right now, please share this on social media, in online groups, and among your friends and family with my family’s great appreciation. If you wish to connect to me directly, please email me.

All funds will go to my aunt and uncle to help pay the medical bills, hospice care, help supplement lost income, and final expenses.

Thank you again for reading this request, and for helping where you are able.