Bill to cover fertility preservation for state employees with cancer nears finish line [Video]

This story is part of The Salt Lake Tribune’s ongoing commitment to identify solutions to Utah’s biggest challenges through the work of the Innovation Lab.

Lauren Kimball comes from a family of teachers.

Although she initially tried to find a different path, education turned out to be her calling, like those before her. “It’s really important to have people in our education system who believe in the potential of every kid,” she said.

About four years ago, she was teaching kindergarten when she noticed a swollen lymph node in her neck. Kimball kept catching illnesses that kids are more susceptible to — like hand, foot and mouth disease. After a round of antibiotics, she finally had a biopsy and received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“At 26 you feel pretty invincible,” said Kimball, who is now 30. “And so to be faced with your own mortality was really hard.”

Cancer treatment can harm the reproductive systems. While struggling with her cancer diagnosis, Kimball also …