Chinook resident Laura Kleinjan was in for the surprise of her life when she was recently diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer. Now her friends are rallying together, and to show support for the horse-loving cancer fighter, a special barrel race was held in Great Falls in her honor.

Laura never imagined she would get breast cancer. The typically healthy 46-year old mother of two describes learning of her diagnosis as a shock.

She explains, “My doctor in Havre suspected something, so she sent me for a mammogram and that’s how it was found, and I don’t have any family history, I’m the model person of healthy, and thank goodness it was found and we have the screening tools that we have.”

Since learning of her diagnosis, Laura has been proactive in her fight against the disease. She recently underwent a mastectomy and is about to begin chemotherapy.

She says, “September was a whirlwind month. Surgeries and doctors and hospitals and I’m just not used to this. I’m used to good health and I’m used to going and living life and this really stopped me in my tracks.”

To help Laura with her increasing medical bills, friends organized a benefit barrel race and silent auction to raise money.

Juli Jo Kelly, friend and event producer, explains, “Laura has indicated the bills are overwhelming, which they would be for any of us, and so we’ve just all banded together in helping her out and doing everything that we can. She’s very emotional, which we all are. It’s a hard thing when it’s one of us that it’s happening to, and we’re just thrilled that she was able to come and be with us today, and I think it’s meant a lot to her.”

Many people showed up at the benefit to support Laura in her fight against cancer.

Juli Jo adds, “Laura is probably one of the kindest-hearted people I have ever known and I think from amount of turnout of people here it also tells that. She is so thankful for everything that everybody has done for her.”

Laura adds, “I didn’t realize how many people care and their generosity is overwhelming. I’ve really been blessed. Out of all the nastiness of this whole disease, God has found the good and I’ve been very blessed.”

If you’d like to help Laura in her fight against breast cancer, you can still make a donation, and for more information contact Juli Jo Kelly at 866-2309.