"Love The Krueger Family" Campaign ($45K Goal)

Update on April 16, 2012: It is with great sadness that we announce that Michele Krueger passed away yesterday. The following is a post from Keith Lokkesmoe on Facebook that captures the sentiments of many:

"Now Michele Krueger resides in eternity, basking in the radiance and glory of her Lord, whom she loved and honored with every fiber of her being. I have been so privileged to know her. She was the ultimate example of love to all of us. Lord hold her children close to your heart. May they always remember their mother's passion and faith in you.
We love you Craig."

Please note that this giving website is still active for those who still wish to contribute.

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Previous Write-Up:

If you already know Craig and Michele Krueger, chances are your life has been significantly impacted. For you, it’s enough for you to know that there is a real need and an opportunity to help. If you have not met the Kruegers, we their friends would like to introduce to you a remarkable couple and invite you to join a campaign to show love to their family during a very difficult time. Their lives have been poured out for many years in service to their God and the people He loves. The purity and extent of their faith have served as an example to many. And never has this been truer than in the midst of this deep valley that they are currently walking through. Please read on.

Background: Craig Krueger is in his 3rd decade of campus ministry at the University of Minnesota and has been pastor of Sojourn Campus Church (formerly Christians in Action University Church) for the past 15 years. In September of 2010, his wife Michele of 16 years was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which is an aggressive brain tumor that, short of a miracle, carries with it a median survival of 14 months. Since that time she has undergone surgery to remove a portion of the tumor and more than a dozen follow-on surgeries to manage the drainage of fluid away from her brain. She is now done with medical treatment and is receiving care at a hospice for people with terminal cancer in St. Paul.

Craig and Michele have eight children ranging in age from 17 months to 13 years. Up until her diagnosis, Michele had been homeschooling the oldest five. Through the generosity of friends, all five have begun to attend a local Christian school. Child care is being divided between Craig, a part-time nanny, and a group of volunteers coordinated through the Michele Krueger’s Helpers page on the website LotsOfHelpingHands.org. That web page is also being used to coordinate volunteers for other practical needs such as cleaning, meals, and transportation.

The campaign: The focus of this campaign is to raise funds. The need is significant.

• Medical care. There are $3000 in outstanding medical bills, ~$50 per month of uncovered expenses, and $200 per month needed to cover a July 2011 increase in insurance premiums.
• Child care. Funding for the part-time nanny has been a temporary arrangement. Not only is a new source of funding needed, but the nanny coverage needs be expanded to be full time. This would amount to approximately $2600 per month.
• Michele’s ongoing care. We thank God that Michele has been accepted very recently at a Catholic Hospice Center where she receives round the clock care at no charge. So now there is no financial need in this area.
• Tax assistance*. The goal is to provide funds so that the Kruegers net the amount needed, after taxes. The estimated taxes are $6700. (Note that contributions are tax-deductible; receipts will be provided)
• GiveMN.org overhead. This fundraising service has an overhead of 2.9% which comes to $1274 when the goal is reached.

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*Note: Craig continues to serve in his role as a campus missionary, and it is as a missionary that he draws his income. The purpose of this campaign is to address the extraordinary expenses his family is incurring at this time in order to enable him to continue to serve in his missionary capacity. All such income is taxable to Craig. Those wishing to contribute separate gifts to the Krueger family for additional needs (e.g., for the kids’ schooling next year) may do so by contacting Craig directly.