BYE BYE BREAST CANCER!

Hi! My name is Ronni, and I am one of Tara Leonard's best friends. Some people think we are sisters. We have many things in common, like the black hair, we both love to hang out with friends, laugh, dance and bathe in the SUN! However, there is ONE thing that sets us apart. BREAST CANCER! My wonderful - great FRIEND - SISTER - has BREAST CANCER! What an ugly thing to have to deal with. When she first told me, I wasn't sure how to respond.  I remember thinking, should I make a joke like saying, - "WOW, so you will have better boobs than me."  (What else would a true sister say?) or do I play the tough sister and tell her everything will be fine.  Well, I ended up telling her that she is a tough beautiful woman and no matter what she will get through this.   One day at a time and with a lot of support from us!

 

Here is what we know. Tara was diagnosed with DCIS. Ductal Carcinoma. This cancer is inside the milk duct in her breast. She is scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy on April 25th at Avera in Sioux Falls. This means she will have both breasts and nipples removed. She will have to wear drain tubes until everything is drained. Her skin will have to be stretched before they can begin her reconstruction. Tara is a strong woman, but sometimes, even the strongest woman needs her loved ones, and I know she has people (all of you) to lean on. The doctors will not know until they do the surgery if she will need to do any additional treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy. She will have 8 weeks of recovery at home with many restrictions.

 

For 15 years and more, Tara has been very active in the community. She has volunteered her time for many organizations and has raised money for multiple fundraisers. You have seen her at many events in town throughout the years, doing her best to make whatever the occasion is, successful. I am reaching out to you to pray, send well wishes, and help me raise money to take some of the financial burden off her.

 

Tara has a long road to recovery, and this will hit her hard financially. The GoFundMe money is to help her with her medical and out-of-pocket expenses. 

 

Please help with this fundraiser by contributing to it, sharing it and sending her well wishes.

 

Thank you, everyone!

Hugs! ~Ronni