Feb. 8 fundraiser to benefit Lower Merion detective’s wife with terminal cancer
Early next month, two charitable organizations will hold an event “dedicated to raising funds and lifting spirits” for a local family facing a devastating diagnosis.
The fundraising event for Lauren Gilbert, who was diagnosed last spring with a rare and aggressive form of colorectal cancer, was originally set for Jan. 25 but had to be scheduled for Feb. 8 due to last weekend’s major snowstorm.
The Gilberts made headlines recently after colleagues of Dan Gilbert, a Lower Merion Township detective, donated hundreds of hours of their paid time off so that Dan could spend more time with his family.
During a Jan. 21 meeting held by the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners, Sgt. John Lushewitz expressed deep gratitude to township officials for allowing the time-off donation. Lushewitz, president of the Lower Merion Fraternal Order of Police, said the donations added up to five months of time that Gilbert can now spend with his family.
“We were able to come together in their hour of need in order to provide them [with] the most precious thing, and that’s time together,” Lushewitz said. “It goes to the heart of every one of our officers, and more importantly, hopefully brings some solace to a family in need.”
Lauren Gilbert is a wife, mother, author, and healthcare operations leader from Collegeville. She and her husband, Dan, are raising two young children, Ella and Austin. In April 2025, she was diagnosed with Stage IV signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of colon cancer.
“Since her diagnosis, Lauren has stepped away from work to focus fully on treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and participation in a clinical trial in Philadelphia, while remaining deeply committed to her family,” said a social media post by Fighting Forward, a local charity that supports people facing serious illnesses based in King of Prussia.
Fighting Forward was created by friends and family to support Lauren, Dan, and their children in a very real and practical way.
“This event is about community showing up and helping carry the weight during an incredibly hard season,” said their post on the event.
Event details and tickets for the event can be found at https://fightingforward2026.eventbrite.com.
Gilbert, whose cancer is terminal, is raising two children, ages 4 and 5. In light of her illness, she is reportedly penning both a child-appropriate book about cancer and writing notes in greeting cards for big events like weddings and graduations that she may not be able to experience.
The fundraiser for the Gilbert family will take place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 8 and tickets are $44.52. The event will feature entertainment, food, drinks and auctions, and the goal will be to ease the financial burden related to Lauren Gilbert’s treatments.
The Montgomery County Hero Fund and Fighting Forward are hosting the event.
