Providing Hope
Community rallies to support their own
By Taylor Hale
Associate Editor
PORTAGE COUNTY – When Lindsey Larson first noticed a bright discoloration on her body in late September, it raised some serious concerns, but Larson brushed it off as something mundane.
In October, when her face swelled up, seemingly out of nowhere, she went to St. Michaels in Stevens Point. Soon after, Larson found out she was suffering from B cell lymphoma. When the doctors broke the news to Larson, she was worried about her upcoming chemotherapy, her lack of insurance, and her inability to work for the next six to eight months.
The Portage County native’s sister, Heidi Grandahl-Pitzrick, started a Facebook fundraiser for Larson with a goal of $4,500 to help deal with expenses. To Larson’s surprise, the group hit the goal within weeks of opening the page.
“My doctors are not letting me work for six months, mostly due to risk of coronavirus, and to see how the chemotherapy will affect me,” Larson explained. “It is amazing. With all the support we have received, I feel a lot less stressed about paying for treatments or other expenses while I am stuck at home or in the hospital.”
The Facebook page went live on Nov. 17 and is still accepting donations past the original goal to help cover further expenses.
Larson noted that her friends also organized a GoFundMe page and an Amazon Wishlist to help her cause. Larson said the online campaigns raised roughly $7,400 so far.
“Being unable to work for the next six months, whatever we don’t use for medical expenses will go towards my bills at home,” Larson explained.
Larson is currently in the process of completing her chemotherapy treatment. She is on the track to recovery and is thankful for the support of the community.
“Right now, I feel pretty good,” Larson said. “None of the side effects have been too overwhelming so far. My treatments are given over the course of 21 days. I spent five days in the hospital, receiving chemotherapy through an IV last week. Now, I get 14 days at home and go back for my next treatment, where I will stay another five days in the hospital in Marshfield.
“We are hoping that after eight treatments or less I will be cancer free with the hope that it doesn’t return.”
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/368135607824266/10164992491700311/