Rep. Tom Campbell called and asked if I would post this on the Yelm Community Blog.
This is a wonderful way to share Rep. Campbell’s message:

“Chris Baron hurried home in the darkness, on an unlit road through the Fort Lewis Military Reservation that leads to his home near Roy.

He felt compelled to tell the children the grim news.

Their mother, 46-year-old Lori Baron, had been rushed to Tacoma General Hospital the previous day after suffering severe stomach pain and vomiting all night. She was still there, recovering from emergency surgery.

Our philosophy is not to shield our kids not to sneak around or hide things, said Chris, 45.

It was around 9 p.m. on Nov. 3. He quickly gathered his children all 11 of them, ages 8 to 17. All were adopted from orphanages in Guatemala, Ethiopia and Russia. Many of them live with disabilities.

A fireplace warmed the living room of the old seven-bedroom farmhouse, its walls covered with images of religious figures from the Eastern Orthodox church.

Chris told the family that doctors found Lori had advanced ovarian cancer. The disease had spread throughout her lower intestine and stomach. It was pushing toward her lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Some of the children were too young to grasp the weight of the news. Even the older ones were confused. The girls began to cry.

I didnt really know what was happening, said George, 14, adopted from Russia.

Later, all the children stood in the kitchen and talked. They discussed what cancer was. They wondered what was going to happen to Lori, the only mom these children from three continents had ever known.

For several days, the house felt like a different place, said Wandemaggen, 12, adopted from Ethiopia. But when Lori came home, the children began to feel life would return to normal.

I dont think Gods going to take her away from us, Wandemaggen said.

ITS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE

Its hard to fathom how so much can happen to one household in less than two months, like a chain reaction of stress.

Since her Nov. 3 diagnosis, Lori has fought the side effects of her first two chemotherapy sessions. Chris has had to neglect his home computer business, further frustrated by several recent days without power. And the children are falling behind in their home-school studies, now that Lori is rarely available to teach.

But the Barons are in for a big surprise tonight when they visit Loris sister, Julie Cunningham, near Buckley. They will be showered with Christmas Eve generosity from relatives, friends and even strangers.

All three of the Barons grown biological sons will greet the family, including the oldest two, who werent supposed to be home for Christmas.

Loris parents from Alaska will be there,” quoting the Tacoma News Tribune.

December 29, 2006

Dear Friend,

I am writing you to ask for your help. A most unusual family that I have known for years is in a crisis this Christmas Season. They are unusual because they have adopted eleven (11) children (mostly special needs) from all over the world in addition to their own three boys. The mom of this large group has suddenly developed stage four ovarian cancer.

They went to the doctor for help and were told, come back when you have insurance. Fortunately, we have been able to recently arrange medical care.

Many people are stepping up to help this family through Christmas and it does help keep Lauras spirits up.

We are going to have a major charity fundraising event on January 13th, 2007 at the Great American Casino located at the crossing of I-5 and HW 512 in Lakewood. The event will begin at 4PM and end at 8:30PM.

We need auction items and donations to help this family through this terrible time. Please plan on attending and spreading the word to your friends. If you can donate items of value for the silent or live auction, please contact us immediately by email or phone. We can be reached at 253-537-0266 or 253-380-4949 or you can email us at thomasjcampbell@qwest.net . If you have items for the auction, they can be dropped off at my office located at 17416 Pacific Ave. S. Spanaway, WA. 98387. A trust account is now located at the Timberland Bank, you can make donations at any branch, or you can mail donations to PO Box 847, Spanaway, WA 98387. The account is listed under Laura Baron account number 140230479.

God bless you and your family, have a happy and prosperous New Year and please keep the Baron family in your prayers. We hope to see you on January 13th at the event.

Please see the attached photo of the Baron family.

Rep. Tom Campbell, DC
2nd Legislative District