Elizabeth Sirbaugh and Elliot Steele have been together for eight years, their love for one another able to withstand the tests of life, distance, and time, as well as other struggles.

They met in middle school and their romance blossomed in the 8th grade, where they were seated alphabetically. While Elizabeth wasn't interested in Elliot first (he'd thrown a chunk of ice at her friend in the 7th grade...), she gave him a chance after he spent time following her around and finding any excuse to talk to her or throw her hair around. They then began dating and the rest is history.

Having been engaged for four of those eight years together now, they have been planning their wedding for almost as long as I've known Elizabeth, a discussion of a house and a family together accompanying that plan (conversations about yurts in Washington and daughters named Tabitha have floated around more times than I can count). As far as love stories and dreams go, it's among the best I've heard.

However, just recently Elizabeth was diagnosed with Lymphoma B, an intensive cancer requiring an equally intensive chemotherapy treatment. Among the many horrible side effects of chemotherapy, one of which is the issues of fertility following it. In order to preserve Elizabeth's fertility, she must undergo a very expensive treatment immediately so that she can also start her cancer treatment. Their deadline is in two weeks, so this is rather urgent!

The procedure will involve egg retrieval as well as freezing the eggs and preserving them in a bank until Elizabeth and Elliot are married and  prepared to start a family. For those of you who may be concerned, this process does not involve the preservation of fertilized embryos. The eggs are in no way altered from their original state in Elizabeth's ovaries, however, if you have any concerns, please do reach out and voice them so that they can be clarified.

The funds will be used to pay for this treatment, which again, I cannot stress is so imparative. It has always been Elizabeth and Elliot's dream to start a family and share in their love. Beyond being with each other, it is the most important thing to them and their future.

Anything you can give will be so greatly appreciated. Elizabeth has always been there for me, especially in my times of need when my grandparents passed away - she sang at my grandmother's funeral and helped my mother and I go through her things during a very emotional time. Now, it's my turn to help her out, and I hope the rest of you will find it somewhere in your hearts to help them out, too.