Stacey Gibbs Lehr loved as she lived - fiercely, unapologetically, wholeheartedly. She was blessed with many gifts. Perhaps most admirable was her compassion for others and capacity to give. She took everything thrown at her with grace, gratitude and generosity.

Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. At one hospital visit, she received a care package to ease the burden of her cancer treatments. She immediately asked that the care package be given to another family who needed it more. Once out of the hospital, Stacey made a donation to ensure that others continued to receive the care packages.

The cancer returned in 2020 with a dire prognosis. She battled gracefully and tenaciously and defied the odds for longer than anyone expected. Even during the darkest and most heart wrenching moments of her battle she always found moments of gratitude to appreciation. Stacey would always take time to point out and appreciate our blessings; our happy and healthy kids, our love and support for each other; our amazing family and friends, our access to resources and capacity to battle. In addition to constantly reminding us of these blessings, she never missed an opportunity to connect with others she met along the way—always with an eye toward finding a way to help them.

It was hard for us to comprehend her constant gratitude and focus on others, but eventually we learned that even our darkest hours have moments of light, and no matter our circumstances there was always capacity to give to others. Stacey set a shining example of how to live with love, laughter, grit, and grace—no matter what.

Witnessing how Stacey lived and experiencing how she loved, it was clear to us that she wanted her legacy to be one of light, love, and generosity. It is with her example and ethos that we created the Stacey G. Lehr Foundation to continue Stacey’s legacy of love, generosity and compassion for others. The foundation will focus its efforts toward causes Stacey was passionate about, and our family has been forever impacted by: Supporting young women, mothers and children impacted by cancer. Her spirit and impact will live on forever.

We have partnered with the Des Moines Community Foundation to help bring these efforts to life. If you wish to contribute to the Stacey G. Lehr Foundation, please click here to visit our Fund or use the QR below. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Foundation.

--Kent, Jude, Louis and Olivia Lehr

October 5, 2024

A Thank You Note

Stacey loved a good party - any reason to celebrate was good enough for her. So it was fitting when Steph, Em and I decided we would celebrate her birthday each year with a dinner, inviting family and close friends to come celebrate Stacey and share memories and stories. As the foundation began to take shape, we thought combining an annual event in support of the foundation with her birthday could be a fitting way to celebrate her and bring awareness to her causes.

On October 5th, 2024, we held our first of what will be an annual Stacey G. Lehr Foundation dinner. Nearly 70 people from across the country gathered in Des Moines to support the inaugural event. It was a night of celebration, story telling, friendship, love and excitement for one of the many ways Stacey’s legacy continues to grow and impact people. Stacey’s energy and spirit was palpable.

What started as small talk to pass time during countless hours in waiting rooms, hospitals and infusion centers had come to life, thanks to so many amazing family and friends that crossed paths and became part of Stacey’s story over the course of her life. To all of you, thank you. Thank you for showing up and being part of this next chapter in the story of Stacey. Thank you for helping continue her legacy. Thank you for your generosity. Most of all, thank you for helping us create something to help others dealing with a terrible diagnosis.

It is both overwhelming and exciting to report that more than $130,000 was raised as part of the inaugural Stacey G. Lehr Foundation dinner. I would like to personally thank Iowa Radiology, who not only was an integral part of Stacey’s care team, but showed up to help jump start our efforts with a $50,000 gift. Amazing. I would also like to personally thank all of the other attendees and donors who made the evening so special and helped us kick things off in a way I never expected. I am forever grateful.

Please stay tuned for updates on some of the new programs the Stacey G. Lehr Foundation will be supporting, future events and other news.