Laurie Todd is an author, teacher, and insurance strategist.

In 2005, Laurie was diagnosed with late-stage appendix cancer. She was told by her oncologist, "There is no treatment for your disease. And, even if there were, they wouldn't pay for it."

Ms. Todd succeeded in persuading her insurer to fully cover her lifesaving treatment with Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, the world's expert on appendix cancer. The cost for the extensive surgery, intrapertoneal chemotherapy, and forty days in hospital was $345,000. Her share? Nine dollars.

During the past four years, Laurie has written forty-four winning insurance appeals, for lifesaving treatments costing from $100,000 to $500,000. Many insurers, many conditions/diseases, all over the United States. She has never lost a case.

In 2007, Laurie secured the backing of a major cancer foundation to publish her groundbreaking book, "Fight Your Health Insurer and Win: Secrets of the Insurance Warrior." This book has helped hundreds to win their own insurance battles.

Laurie's second book, "The Sample Appeal: More Insurance Warrior Wisdom" came out in May 2009.

Laurie has addressed general audiences, healthcare professionals, cancer patients and caregivers, social workers, and benefits administrators. In May 2009, she addressed an audience of two hundred doctors and patients at the Liver Symposium in Chicago.

Articles by Laurie have appeared in "Coping with Cancer" magazine (July-August 2008), and also in the YES (Y90 Microspheres Education and Support) newsletter.