Love For Lorraine

The friends and family of Lorraine, Heidi and Benjamin Griepp have launched this fundraiser on behalf of Lorraine who has very recently been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma. This rare bile-duct cancer affects only about one in 100,000 people and often goes unnoticed until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This is true in Lorraine’s case as her cancer has already spread to multiple other areas. Because Cholangiocarcinoma is rarely seen, there are very few hospitals that are qualified to aggressively treat patients suffering with this “incurable” disease.
Lorraine currently remains in the local cancer center at her home in Asheville, NC, and has received the best possible care for a facility that does not specialize in Cholangiocarcinoma. Lorraine’s Oncologist is bewildered by her case as it presents differently than what he has seen in prior patients. Most significant is that Cholangiocarcinoma is typically seen in men over 65, not women in their early thirties. Upon her Oncologist’s advice and with the help of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, we have now started seeking out treatment centers that offer cutting-edge medical options.
Although we have been told that this disease is not yet curable, we have also been made aware that in some cases Cholangiocarcinoma is being treated successfully. And this is why we are reaching out to you—the friends, church families and co-workers of Lorraine and Heidi, as well as of their friends and family members.
Lorraine only has a very basic Obama Care insurance policy and it appears that her plan will only cover a very small portion of the upcoming treatment. Additionally, there will be ongoing expenses associated with travel to the medical center, as well personal financial commitments that will rapidly become burdensome with the loss of Lorraine’s income compounded by the loss of work that wife Heidi will incur as she travels with Lorraine.
Those who know Lorraine and Heidi value the love they have for others and their spirit of service. This generosity has been exemplified many ways in their lives, not the least of which was their recent adoption of three-year-old Benjamin who they have nurtured since he was only one month old.
That's where we are folks. Many of you have asked how you can help this family. If you feel led to so, please consider contributing to Lorraine's care fund and know that any amount, however large or small, will be dearly appreciated. We love Lorraine and earnestly pray that with the right treatment she will be with us for a long time to come

thanks!!