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Help Laurie's fight against AML

Hi, my name is Laura and my mother Laurie Dunham went in for a doctors appointment on April 19th to get back test results. While at the doctors office she fainted and was taken to the E.R. where she learned she had AML (acute myeloid leukemia). The doctor said she easily could have died that day and was very lucky. She turns 63 this year and is the strongest woman I know. Through all that is happening, against the odds, she is trying to keep her head up and keep a positive mindset.


Years ago she was treated with chemotherapy for colon cancer and made an incredible recovery. Laurie has been extremely active right up until a few weeks ago living a normal life. She works a full time job which it does not look like she will be able to return to anytime soon (if at all). She also teaches art and jewelry classes and was President of the Sarasota Surface Design Guild, an artistic group in Sarasota.

After just over a week she is responding well to chemo but is only in the induction stage. Today her doctor informed us that if everything goes well she will still probably need two more rounds of chemotherapy and advised that we should try to plan for a bone marrow transplant. This is a very expensive procedure but it is her best chance to survive the cancer. During this time she will have to be treated out of town, and recovery after the transpant is long and any infection could be life threatening. Currently she has developed painful ulcers all over her mouth during chemo which make it nearly impossible for her to eat along with her neutropenic diet.

This fundraiser is to support her medical care, housing, and recovery costs-- and hopefully get her to stop trying to rush back to work to pay off these bills. Money is the last thing that should be on her mind while she fights for her life, and she mentioned today she really wants to see the Redwood National Forest in her lifetime so I hope for a small portion of funding to help her travel there as well once this is all in the past. I will post updates as we learn more for those interested in following her fight against cancer. Any amount as a donation or even just sharing this post would be a huge help to her and the family. Laurie is selfless and always trying to help others in any way she can and I know she will be so grateful and surprised to have the help and support from her community. Thankyou!
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Donations 

  • Norman Grandstaff
    • $10 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Lo Dunham
Organizer
Sarasota, FL

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