Lauren Alaina’s Stepfather Is Battling Cancer
Lauren Alaina's social media is generally full of lighthearted posts that show off her sparkling personality, fun fashion finds, and escapades with fellow country stars. However, on Saturday (June 30), the singer took a serious turn, letting fans in on something very important to her: Namely, her stepfather Sam Ramker's current battle with Stage 4 cancer.
Alaina wrote a note to fans, stating that she usually doesn't ask for anything, but that she was moved by how many were reaching out asking about Ramker's condition. She directed anyone who'd like to help to a special GoFundMe page designed to assist with his rapidly growing medical expenses.
"He is fighting harder than I thought was possible. He is the strongest person I know," Alaina noted. "Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care if you’re two or 80 years old. It doesn’t care if you’re a perfectly healthy 47 year old step-father, husband, and grandfather who eats healthily and runs 6 miles a day. It can happen to anyone. To the families and people who have been affected by this horrible disease or any disease, my family has felt the pain you’ve felt for the last four months. We are praying for you. We love you, and we are so thankful for all of the love coming our way."
Alaina also shared the story behind the picture she selected to use with her post, where she is posing with a brightly smiling Ramker and her mom. "I chose this picture because of how happy that trophy made him," she related. "We found out I won New Female Vocalist of the Year at the @acmawards the same week we found out he has cancer. We made sure he and my mom were there for the award show. That trophy is my very favorite thing I’ve ever gotten. It brought so much happiness in a week of sadness. That’s how God works."
The GoFundMe account was started by Ramker's siblings, who map out a detailed account of his cancer journey, and explain that he is incurring tremendous expenses while currently waiting to qualify for disability assistance. As of posting time, nearly $10,000 had been raised.
Alaina, along with dozens of other country stars, participated in the 28th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game to benefit cancer research this month at CMA Fest 2018; she told news outlets she was playing specifically for her stepfather.
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