Dear friends and family,

I never thought I’d be writing something like this, but here we are — and I know God has a plan, even in the hardest moments. My mom, the strongest and most giving woman I know, was recently diagnosed with a dangerously aggressive breast cancer.

If you know Ruth Poole, you know she’s the first to show up with encouragement in the form of a meal, a prayer, or a hug when someone else is hurting. She’s a proud mom of three, grandma to five (with another little blessing on the way!), the fun at every party, and the heart of our family. She’s been our anchor through so many storms — and now she’s facing one of her own.

Her oncology team at UT Mays-MD Anderson has prepared mom for an intense battle which we know will stretch her physically, emotionally, and financially. In the coming days, the full surgical and treatment plan will unfold along with its cost, and its approximate length. We expect that insurance out-of-pocket expenses and the many financial hardships that come with this unfamiliar journey, will be upwards of $10,000. In two months, insurance will reset when she becomes Medicare eligible, and she will have to meet the new deductibles and maximum out of pocket expenses on her new supplemental coverage.

In spite of the clouds, mom’s faith is unshakable — she’s trusting God to get her through this in every way — but we also know that God works through people, and that’s why I’m asking for your help. Whether you can give $5 or $500, every single bit helps with a part of the battle.

If you aren’t able to give right now, sharing this page with your friends and family means the world to us. However, most of all, we ask you to pray that healing will come. Mom has always been the one to cheer everyone else on. Now it’s our turn to rally around her and show her that she’s not fighting this alone.

Thank you for your love, prayers, donations, and shares. We are trusting God for His miracle and we believe that the best is yet to come.

With love and gratitude from our family to yours,

Lauren Edwards