Dalit Solidarity

Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September 2016. She was trying out for her High School Volleyball Team in August 2016 and her leg was in severe pain. A local x-ray and trip to the hospital, followed by a biopsy, showed Kaitlyn had Osteosarcoma in her Fibula. After a 22- hour surgery to remove the tumor and perform a flap transplant, she was feeling ok and recovering, and believed to be cancer free. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of a 22-month struggle of relapses, staph infections, hundreds of blood transfusions, weeks and weeks of chemotherapy, lung surgeries, brain radiation, trials, and a lot of pain and illness. The cancer eventually took over and Kaitlyn passed away after a long and valiant fight with this beast. She fought long and hard, almost always refused pain meds, never went on hospice and lived her short life the best she could, with her faith, her smile and her love for God. She always worried about her family and friends before herself. She made such a difference in this world in her short time here. Her legacy will live on, and when they finally find the cure, she will have lit the path
 
Want to join me in making a difference? Help Kaitlyn’s legacy live on and show how her life here on earth, impacted so many people and encouraged all to make a difference, and pay it forward. Thanks to Deacon Jim Stahlnecker and Father Ben from India, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was built and opened on March 2, 2019 in Kaitlyn’s memory in St. Theresa's Parish in Kakkanour, India. Kaitlyn displayed a great amount of faith, trust and courage as she was battling cancer. She became a great role model for children and others, showing them how to live and accept God's will in our lives, despite so many challenges. Petitions and prayers were submitted during the blessing of the Grotto. Now the Grotto has become a shrine for people to support and to pray for the Sainthood of Kaitlyn in the coming days.  Hundreds of school children from the parish participated in the inauguration of the Grotto and admire her as their role model.    

Additionally, the children have been praying to Kaitlyn for an upgrade of their high school. They are in desperate need of a high school with four classrooms.  Currently they are forced to go to nearby towns to complete high schooling and safety, transportation and inconvenience are daily challenges for these poor children, who sit on the floor while trying to learn. Your contribution in honor and memory of Kaitlyn would help hundreds of children learn in a safe environment. This will also prevent many children from dropping out of school and forced to become child laborers. Your donations will make a huge impact in the finishing of the class rooms before October 1st, 2019 on the feast of St. Theresa of Child Jesus. 
 
There are many ways to donate. First, you can send your tax-deductible donation directly to Dalit Solidarity via PayPal  [email redacted] or use this GoFundMe page. You can also can drop off cash or a check at St. Bernard Parish or St. Bernard Catholic Academy, or you can give to Robert Bernhardt (Kaitlyn’s brother who is collecting) or finally, you can write a check payable to Dalit Solidarity and mail to P.O. Box 178995, San Diego, CA 92177
 
Suggested Donations:
$100 -fans, lights, brick work, painting
$250-windows, carpentry, 5 bags of cement
$350-plumbing, electricity
$500-gift of a computer, flooring
$1000-plaque in honor of a loved one to hang in classroom
 

Kaitlyn Rose Bernhardt
Sweetkaitlynrose.com 
12/20/2002-6/15/2018
#Forever15

• Providing essential healthcare services to underserved populations.
• Offering educational resources and programs to empower individuals for better futures.
• Supporting community outreach initiatives that promote awareness and access to vital services.