Nonprofit created by woman with cancer helps pay bills for other cancer patients

A metro area nonprofit is doing all it can to help local families facing the most difficult times of their lives. Join The Flock Inc. is making mortgage payments for families affected by cancer.

Katie Walton says she’ll never forget the kindest woman she ever knew -- her cousin Jennifer Lazo.

"This is Jennifer's dream coming true. She would be ecstatic. I think she's dancing in heaven,” Walton said.

Lazo died last May of breast cancer. Before she died, she helped create the group.

"When you meet someone who is battling for their own life but has this passion for other people, anytime you come across someone like that it's quite remarkable,” said Keeli Simpson, who works for The Flock.

The Flock recently helped the Reinholtz family. Maggie Reinholtz underwent chemotherapy during her pregnancy. She is still receiving treatments.

"Having our mortgage paid for a month is incredibly special. It’ll help us in so many ways. We’ve had more medical bills than I can count come in,” Reinholtz said.

Her newborn, Josephine, was in the womb through five rounds of chemo. She is happy and healthy.

Join The Flock Inc. made a mortgage payment for 13 local families in 2018, and is aiming for even more before this year ends. Volunteers say receiving a mortgage payment may not be life-changing, but it can be enough for a short vacation.

Walton says it’s a chance to forget about the troubles and create a happy memory.

"It feels good in a time that feels really bad. We suffered a major loss, and now we have something to give us some hope to carry forward,” Walton said.

Join The Flock Inc. is trying to raise $75,000 to help as many families as possible. It has 50 local families on its radar. If you want to help, check out jointheflockinc.org.

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