On July 8, 2019, Laura Lohstreter walked into the Sanford Bismarck Medical Center for what she believed would be a routine mammogram. But by the time she arrived home, her phone was already ringing. She was asked to return the next day.
After a compression mammogram and an ultrasound, Laura heard the words no one is ever prepared for:
“I’m sorry. You have breast cancer.”
In the days that followed, fear took hold. But thanks to expert care from the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck and the support of programs made possible through philanthropy, Laura felt cared for and supported every step of the way.
A Call That Lifted the Fear
Just a few days after her diagnosis, Laura received a call from a Sanford nurse navigator. To Laura, the navigator was “the kindest, most well-spoken and knowledgeable” guide she could have hoped for.
Her nurse navigator explained Laura’s next steps, answered every question and took over the logistics of Laura’s care.
Laura credits the nurse navigation program, funded through philanthropy, for removing fear and uncertainty from the very start.
“All I had to do was get better,” Laura said. “My nurse navigator handled everything else.”
During that call, Laura requested two physicians she already admired: Dr. Jeanette Viney, a general surgeon who cared for Laura’s mother in the past, and Dr. Thandiwe Gray, a specialist in hematology and oncology.
Still, at her first appointment with Dr. Viney, fear threatened to overwhelm her. Dr. Viney wrapped her arms around Laura and said, “We’ve got this.”
It was the moment Laura’s fear began to dissolve.
“I went from complete terror to thinking, ‘This is all going to be okay,’” said Laura.
Every person she met throughout her cancer journey, from the receptionist to the nurses, reinforced that belief.
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Sanford really cares. It’s not fake. You’re not a number or a chart. You’re a real person.
A Gift of Gratitude
Months later, Laura received an email about the Guardian Angel program through the Sanford Health Foundation. The program allows grateful patients and their loved ones to recognize a Sanford caregiver or staff member who went above and beyond during their care journey.
Laura had never heard of the Guardian Angel program before, but instantly knew she wanted to honor the people who carried her through the hardest chapter of her life.
“My heart just said I needed to do this,” Laura said. “They needed to know how much of an impact they had on my life.”
She honored both Dr. Viney and Dr. Gray. To Laura, these gifts were far more than gestures. They were sincere expressions of her love and gratitude.
“I was beyond proud to show my appreciation,” she said.
Giving Back the Laura Way
After that initial Guardian Angel gift, Laura knew she wanted to do more. Though she describes herself as quiet and “not the volunteering type,” she realized she could still make a meaningful impact in her own way — and she didn’t need to wait.
Laura established the Bruce and Laura Lohstreter & John Rich Endowment for Cancer, created in memory of her dad and her husband. The endowment will support local cancer care for years to come — a lasting source of strength, compassion and possibility for patients who will one day walk a path like hers.
This gift reflects everything Laura believes in: the power of local care, the importance of removing barriers for patients and the profound impact generosity has on healing.
The Importance of Supporting Local Care
Having experienced the strain of traveling for medical care in the past, Laura knows firsthand how vital local services are. Supporting the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck isn’t optional for her — it’s essential.
“Having this level of care in our community is truly priceless,” she said.
Local care allowed Laura to return to her own bed after radiation, eat familiar meals, rest in her own space and lean on family and friends nearby. It also allowed her to build meaningful relationships with the team supporting her every step of the way.
“Seeing the same faces, having them cheer you on — it all matters. It’s all part of the healing process.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Today, Laura continues follow-up care with Dr. Gray, even joking she wishes she could see her more often. She remains dedicated to her regular screenings and 10-year medication plan.
And if her cancer ever returns? She’ll face it with the same courage and community that carried her the first time — anchored by the words she’ll never forget:
“We’ve got this.”
Give for Good.
Your generosity ensures more patients receive the same lifesaving, compassionate care Laura did, right here at home.
100% of your gift through the Sanford Health Foundation supports:
- Services like nurse navigation, offering guidance and support from day one of a diagnosis
- Leading-edge equipment like 3D mammography machines, offering the most advanced early detection technology
- Cutting-edge research and clinical trials
- Direct assistance to help with meals, mileage, lodging and other costs not covered by insurance
- Items that provide patient comfort and support
- And so much more!