Long, sappy post ahead! (Taylor’s rarely on social media, so we are sharing these sentiments together as a couple.)
Many of you know that Taylor was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in June of last year, just weeks after our youngest daughter was born.
Shocked is an understatement. I couldn’t fathom how my 27-year-old husband, the father of our two baby girls, could get stage 3 cancer.
It’s been an emotional downpour through what has proved to be the most harrowing experience of our lives.
There aren’t words to describe it, and yet we could fill novels.
But one thing that floored us almost as much as the diagnosis was how the team at Lemonade Stand responded:
From day one, ?? Greg Trimble told Taylor to prioritize his health, that he would always have a job and a paycheck.
John Rowa told Taylor to find the very best doctors, and they would help us work out whatever we needed.
Kristyn Trimble sent us meals, gift cards for groceries, Christmas presents for our girls, and more.
My former team, the content team, pooled money and gifted our family a wonderful stay in Midway.
Our coworkers sent us countless personal messages checking in on us.
And here’s what this generosity really gave to us:
A constant paycheck gave us stability in a time of utter uncertainty.
John’s assurance gave us freedom to find some of the absolute best doctors in the western US (who thankfully happened to be covered by our insurance through Lemonade Stand).
Kristyn’s thoughtful gifts gave us relief from the stresses of everyday life while Taylor focused on treatment.
The content team’s kindness gave us much-needed time together as a family—and a perfect distraction from our sorrow.
Those personal messages lifted and carried us.
And do you know what all this made Taylor want to do? Fight. Show up. I’ve watched him get kicked down by treatment over and over and over again, only to fight his way back up again and show up for us and for his coworkers whenever and however he could.
With that fight, a lot of divine intervention, 6 rounds of chemo, 28 rounds of radiation, 4 surgeries, and 1 unbeatable crowd rallying behind us, we got the very best outcome:
Taylor is now in remission. Cancer free with a great prognosis.
Employers, you can actually change someone’s life—help save someone’s life—with your generosity. And that someone will never forget it.
There aren’t words to describe it, and yet we could fill novels.
Thank you, Lemonade Stand family. ??
