Hello, Dogpatch watchers, readers, and writers. I’m dropping in to let you know that one of our founders, Laurel Leigh, has been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer.
She’s never been a smoker, so this hit quite unexpectedly. We in the patch are doing our best to lift Laurel up and help her make it through this illness and out the other side with a clean bill of health. But that’s not going to happen for awhile, because her treatment is extensive.
She’s getting chemo and radiation simultaneously, which makes it nearly impossible to work. This is pretty much how she’s feeling right now—on a good day:
And although she has health insurance, as a freelance editor and writer, her insurance doesn’t cover the bills, and her income has been hit hard.
We in the patch would be ever so grateful if you could do one or both of the following:
- Help out with her bills by donating to the Go Fund Me page some of her friends have made for her.
- And/or please send good vibes, prayers, healing thoughts, and maybe some chocolate in her direction. Right now, she’s in North Dakota, where her mother grew up.
Updates on Laurel’s progress will be made on the Go Fund Me page.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! From the bottom of our hearts.
Dogpatch Writers Collective 
I don’t know Laurel but I just finished the chemo radiation gambit so I might know a thing or two about how she may be feeling. if there’s anything I can do to help, just ask. Oh and I’m triple vaxxed too. Local to bellingham and willing to lend a hand.
Thank you for your kind offer, Jordan! Laurel is in North Dakota right now, so a bit out of reach for most of us. That’s why we’re trying to help her with expenses. A lot of us would’ve taking her food if we lived nearby. I hope you are feeling better now that you are done with c & r. We hope that Laurel will be done with the worst soon. Best wishes to you in your recovery!
Just wanted to let the dogs of the patch know that my pupper, Wrigley, just asked me to donate to Laurel because she once had an amazing pup named Chloe who lived with Laurel for 15 years. So cheers to Laurel in memory of Chloe! ❤️. 🐕. ❤️
Thanks for this post. This is devasting news, but Laurel Leigh is a strong lady. I’m relying on that strength to get her through these troubling times. I’ve donated, and try to send her a card every week. Soon, I’ll send a care package full of “stuff.” Lish
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Thank you thank you thank you! Thank you for your donation, notes, and care package. Those things mean sooo much! And you are spot on! Laurel is a strong lady, and her sense of humor and strength will help her make it through this. And her friends are cheering her on. Thank you, again!