Lesslee Walking for NF Awareness
Butler, Missouri ~ 2023
Oil on Canvas
30" x 24"
Lesslee has Nuerofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and works as a team lead in the deli/bakery department of Walmart in Butler, Missouri. She started there in 2015 and loves her job and coworkers almost as much as she loves a good cup of coffee! Her friends delight in giving her a hard time and reminding her of that very much needed first cup of joe.
She’s is known for her spunky spirit that just might come from her signature red hair or perhaps it is from her desire to not give up or let NF define her. In July 2020, during the height of Covid, she had a very large tumor removed in her leg. It had caused her to limp months prior to the surgery. She had also been on Kuelsugo to help shrink the tumor. Lesslee receives her care at both the Mayo Clinic in Rochester as well as back home. Prior to that surgery she had already had (at least): 4 ultrasounds, 4 different MRI’s (one involved the neck and entire spine) and 3 CT scans. A needle biopsy, tested for covid-19 and blood work (no count) and then the surgery. NF can really take a toll. She’s a proud and involved mom of two energetic and active kids, Samantha and Edmund. Lesslee views motherhood to be the greatest emotional investment of her life. Nobody has made her more proud, happy and full of love than her children have. Her son, Edmund, like herself also has NF1.
She enjoys being active with the Children’s Tumor Foundation and being involved in the Shine a Light NF walk held in Kansas City.
She’s is known for her spunky spirit that just might come from her signature red hair or perhaps it is from her desire to not give up or let NF define her. In July 2020, during the height of Covid, she had a very large tumor removed in her leg. It had caused her to limp months prior to the surgery. She had also been on Kuelsugo to help shrink the tumor. Lesslee receives her care at both the Mayo Clinic in Rochester as well as back home. Prior to that surgery she had already had (at least): 4 ultrasounds, 4 different MRI’s (one involved the neck and entire spine) and 3 CT scans. A needle biopsy, tested for covid-19 and blood work (no count) and then the surgery. NF can really take a toll. She’s a proud and involved mom of two energetic and active kids, Samantha and Edmund. Lesslee views motherhood to be the greatest emotional investment of her life. Nobody has made her more proud, happy and full of love than her children have. Her son, Edmund, like herself also has NF1.
She enjoys being active with the Children’s Tumor Foundation and being involved in the Shine a Light NF walk held in Kansas City.