Help Heather Get Back On Her Feet
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I met Heather Lundin in September 2019. Despite her bald “hairdo”, I immediately loved her for her infectious smile! I’m not her only coworker who has been inspired by her positive life outlook, superior work ethic, and drive to provide the highest service to the seniors that she cares for. I also learned that Heather was a survivor. She had just finished 5 months of Chemotherapy the previous month.
As I got to know Heather, I learned that she is as devoted to her children as she is to her ‘work family’. She continues to inspire me as I watched her face her many challenges head-on, never seeking sympathy or asking for help.
Heather’s Story
CANCER 1: Heather was diagnosed with stage 3 Fallopian tube/ovarian cancer in January of 2019. She had an invasive surgery that prevented her from working at her job as a housekeeper for Croixdale Senior Apartments for the following 8 weeks. When she returned, in March, she could only work part-time while continuing Chemotherapy treatment at the same time, through July of 2019.
Loss of work means a loss of income. And unexpected medical care means figuring out how to pay subsequent medical bills.
Heather and the kids could no longer afford their own apartment. She also needed help caring for her children and her generous parents allowed them to move in. By August of 2019, Heather was able to return to work full time.
CANCER 2: As COVID was starting to threaten American life, Heather and the kids were still living with her parents and considering a move into their own apartment again. These plans were put on hold when Heather found a lump in April 2020 needing surgery for a new Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis. That meant the loss of income for another six weeks and more medical bills.
CANCER 3: Heather’s family finally moved into their own apartment on July 1, 2020. But in November, Heather started having symptoms of cancer again and last month (January 2021), Heather was diagnosed with a recurrence of the Fallopian tube/ovarian cancer. Surgery was performed and Heather expects to miss another 6-8 weeks of work and income. Heather will experience Chemo again and hopes she will be able to work part-time through her treatment.
Members of Heather’s family are helping care for her and the children at this time, but the strain on her finances is as bad as you can imagine for a single mom with three cancer diagnoses over such a short time.
Through the past several years, Heather has completely exhausted her Paid Time Off and Sick Time several times over. Two of her four children are still living at home and she is struggling to pay her rent while acquiring no income!
I know 2020 was tough on many people. But imagine having cancer recurrences TWICE during a year as tough as 2020.
Heather would never ask for help - I had to beg her to let us create this fundraiser.
We are asking for donations to help Heather pay her medical bills and provide some income for her family to live off over the next many months. If the tables were turned, I know Heather would have your back!
Heather, before cancer:
As I got to know Heather, I learned that she is as devoted to her children as she is to her ‘work family’. She continues to inspire me as I watched her face her many challenges head-on, never seeking sympathy or asking for help.
Heather’s Story
CANCER 1: Heather was diagnosed with stage 3 Fallopian tube/ovarian cancer in January of 2019. She had an invasive surgery that prevented her from working at her job as a housekeeper for Croixdale Senior Apartments for the following 8 weeks. When she returned, in March, she could only work part-time while continuing Chemotherapy treatment at the same time, through July of 2019.
Loss of work means a loss of income. And unexpected medical care means figuring out how to pay subsequent medical bills.
Heather and the kids could no longer afford their own apartment. She also needed help caring for her children and her generous parents allowed them to move in. By August of 2019, Heather was able to return to work full time.
CANCER 2: As COVID was starting to threaten American life, Heather and the kids were still living with her parents and considering a move into their own apartment again. These plans were put on hold when Heather found a lump in April 2020 needing surgery for a new Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis. That meant the loss of income for another six weeks and more medical bills.
CANCER 3: Heather’s family finally moved into their own apartment on July 1, 2020. But in November, Heather started having symptoms of cancer again and last month (January 2021), Heather was diagnosed with a recurrence of the Fallopian tube/ovarian cancer. Surgery was performed and Heather expects to miss another 6-8 weeks of work and income. Heather will experience Chemo again and hopes she will be able to work part-time through her treatment.
Members of Heather’s family are helping care for her and the children at this time, but the strain on her finances is as bad as you can imagine for a single mom with three cancer diagnoses over such a short time.
Through the past several years, Heather has completely exhausted her Paid Time Off and Sick Time several times over. Two of her four children are still living at home and she is struggling to pay her rent while acquiring no income!
I know 2020 was tough on many people. But imagine having cancer recurrences TWICE during a year as tough as 2020.
Heather would never ask for help - I had to beg her to let us create this fundraiser.
We are asking for donations to help Heather pay her medical bills and provide some income for her family to live off over the next many months. If the tables were turned, I know Heather would have your back!
Heather, before cancer:
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Bodensteiner
Organizer
Woodbury, MN
Heather Lundin
Beneficiary