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The kindness of strangers

Local woman receives medical help from unknown people

Allison Plean

— Complete strangers have donated hundreds of dollars to help Cassandra Krause.

Krause was diagnosed in March with cavernous sinus thrombosis transverse.

“It’s a rare condition that’s basically a blood clot in my head with a big fancy name,” Krause said. “And um, well, there’s a 30 percent mortality rate, and I have the chance of another thrombosis occurring.”



The condition has affected Krause in various cognitive and painful ways.

“I constantly have pressure in my head that sometimes ends up as a really severe headache,” she said. “I’ve ended up being re-hospitalized because of how much pain I was in.”



After Krause was initially released from the hospital, she was unable to pick up her 1-year-old child, and there are many activities she can no longer tolerate.

“I can’t drive anymore,” Krause said. “I’ve been practicing driving to my mailbox, which is a mile away, but I end up with a headache by the time I get back.”

Krause has more than $30,000 in medical bills and no health insurance.

Her friend put an ad in the paper to solicit people to donate to her medical expense fund at the First National Bank of the Rockies.

A group of eight children from Jupiter, Fla. responded.

They conducted a car wash and a lemonade stand that together raised $115.75 for Krause.

They have never met her.

“A lot of different people from out of town have done stuff like that,” Krause said. “Two different people out of Dallas who have no clue who I am have made donations to my account.”

Krause’s mother-in-law sent a letter to all her relatives to tell them about her illness and see whether they could help.

Three distant relatives sent what they could afford.

“They are all old and on Medicare and sent around $25 each,” she said. “One letter went to the wrong address and they felt compelled to send something. They sent $10. Just the thought alone was really thoughtful because they had no clue who I am.”

Krause has now raised about $4,000 from people including her mechanic and complete strangers who walk into the bank.

These acts have shown Krause the strength of the community and have helped her in the healing process.

“It’s really nice. It kind of makes me want to cry a little because it’s just so touching,” Krause said.

“It just really helps to pick you up to know that people are really out there rallying for you.”


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