Support Laurel and Her Fight Against Cancer

This experience has made Laurel impassioned about health care issues, and she wants to emphasize that her case is not isolated. At the time of her diagnoses she was working about 60 hours per week, and yet still living at poverty level according to federal and Alaska State standards. Even so, she was denied Medicaid and other forms of public assistance. In order to qualify for any assistance, the State is making her into the stereotype of a welfare recipient, meaning that she is forced to stop all means of self-sufficiency. Since then, she has quit her jobs, and the Social Security / Disability Board told her they will give her a decision within 6 months. If they rule that she is disabled, she will qualify for Medicaid and receive approximately $450 per month. But at this state, her future is precarious, and of course $450 is not enough to cover living expenses. She has been denied tests because of her uninsured status, and is only able to obtain chemotherapy because she has found a compassionate doctor who is willing to treat her despite her uninsured status.

Laurel has dedicated her life to grassroots responses to injustice and we want to create a widespread culture of mutual aid in Santa Cruz, starting with a series of fundraisers to support Laurel and perhaps to extend to a general fund for the uninsured.

If you would like to get involved or donate please contact laurel_committee [at] yahoo.com