Katie Cancer Kickers

PLEASE take a moment to read this, and help if you are able. Thank you in advance for your consideration and compassion. This is my 26 year old niece, Katie, and here is her story.
If fairy tales do come true, Katie will marry her prince charming, Jon (a young man of genuine integrity and one we are incredibly proud to welcome into our family) on August 28, 2015. One year ago this month, Jon proposed to Katie, as the whole family witnessed their promise of love. And true, devoted love it really is. However, there is a twist to our little princess’ journey. Four years ago this determined young woman set out on a quest to become a Registered Nurse. A profession she chose because of her compassion, her giving heart, and her determination to make a difference in her patients’ lives. With her unrelenting will, she studied, worked hard, and over came her mother’s cancer diagnosis, while remaining focused on reaching her goal of seeing the initials “RN” after her name. All the while, Katie had a secret predator invading her own body. Six weeks short of her wedding date, Katie has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The unimaginable, now our heart breaking reality. These words are hard to comprehend and accept when you are 26 and just embarking on a promising future. For a split second in time, all dreams and hopes, dashed. So many what ifs and unknowns. And there are still many questions left unanswered as I write this. Our mission, this same family who witnessed a promise of love last July, is to first and foremost, pray for healing (we ask you to please pray along with us). In addition, we are reaching out to family and friends to help Katie and Jon with medical expenses. Days after Katie passed her state boards to become a legal Registered Nurse, she was offered a full time position from a local hospital. She accepted, not yet realizing her immediate fate. There are many caring and remarkable medical professionals who have come to see the treasure they have in Katie; as they have shared with her, that despite the long journey ahead, the hospital will hold a place for her employment after her recovery. One prayer answered with endless gratitude. In the meantime, Katie and Jon are now minus one household income. The doctors’ strategy for Katie’s cure will be costly. There will be deductibles and copays; chemotherapy; surgery and insurance premiums. Beyond the life saving measures, there is the hope for having children, but not without a preplanned course of action to protecting Katie’s reproductive cells. This process is costly, but offers the optimism of giving life. The two wishes Katie has at this time is to have hair for her wedding day and to bear children with her soul mate, the love of her life, her best friend. Is that too much to ask at 26 with a vitality and a heart filled with courage, strength, hope, determination, love and gratitude? That’s OUR little girl, all grown and poised to fight the fight of her life. We are so incredibly proud of her that there really are no words to explain the blessing she is to all of us. And lastly, whatever support you are able to contribute, whether in prayer or monetarily, please know the extent of our gratitude as we aim high towards optimum health and a fairy tale come true for our special and treasured princess. God bless you all for being a part of this journey with Katie and Jon. We hope, in your heart, you will find Katie’s story worthy to share and forward to YOUR family and friends. If you are unable to make an online donation or would prefer to send a check, please contact me via my email address for further information. Thank you!