She Beat Cancer, Now Couple Needs Help With Bills

Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:08 PM

By Olivia Welch, contributor

Brittany Lohrum's cancer was deemed to be in remission in December.

Brittany Lohrum and husband Nick. Photo provided.

(Milan, Ind.) - Cancer, the six-letter word we all hope to avoid, and yet seems to touch all of us.

It upends the lives of friends, family, or our own, wreaking havoc emotionally, physically and financially. It doesn’t discriminate according to age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. It comes into lives and takes over.

Brittany Lohrum, 26, of Milan, experienced just that last year. Recently married to Nick Lohrum in 2016, Brittany and Nick faced a huge hurdle when Brittany was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June. It took months and numerous tests for the doctors to identify what was causing her excruciating side pain, severe cough, and diminishing voice.

Finally, after 11 rounds of chemo, Brittany’s oncologist deemed her in remission on December 19. Since that time, she’s been going through physical therapy to regain strength and preparing to re-enter the workforce.

This has meant little to no working for Brittany for the last year; vacation days turned into FMLA, FMLA turned into short-term disability, and short-term disability turned into long-term disability. With task one - a focus on healing; task two - regain strength to function in society, the Lohrums now face a mounting pile of medical bills.

On Sunday, February 10 a benefit will take place at the Sunman Legion to help alleviate the financial burden on Brittany and Nick. The doors open at 11:00 a.m.

All are invited to enjoy food and music by Jamie Johnson, Tony Holt, Josh Brock, DJ Adkins, and Brian ‘Biggin’ Noble. There will be a raffle for a Remington 12 gauge, a Kimber Pistol, 65” Smart TV and various donated items.

Raffle tickets for the guns and TV may be purchased in advance, you do not need to be present to win. Gun raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25; TV raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Please email woolumo@gmail.com if you would like to purchase. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event.

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate, please visit www.gofundme.com/benefit-for-britt. For more information on lymphoma please visit www.lls.org/lymphoma.