Help Support Katherine: A Bronx healer’s triumph over cancer

Hello everyone, whether you know me personally or not, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my campaign page and request for support.

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Katherine. I'm a 38-year-old woman from New York City who is humbly asking the community for help during my cancer journey.

On March 12th, 2024, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

As someone who has always dreamed of becoming a mother, this diagnosis was devastating.

For those of you that know me, know that I have always dreamed of becoming a mother and absolutely adore children. Being told that I may not have that opportunity absolutely crushed me.

Endometrial or uterine cancer is also known as cancer of the womb where cancer is present in the reproductive organs.

Treatment for this cancer is having a hysterectomy which is a major abdominal surgery removing the uterus and ovaries in order to contain the cancer and reduce the likelihood of it spreading to other organs.

This surgery is usually done in conjunction with some form of radiation or chemotherapy depending on the stage of cancer. Each one of these treatment options render the person unable to have biological children.

I had less than 20 hours between my initial diagnosis and my first oncology appointment to make a critical decision.

A decision that would not only impact my health but also my hopes and dreams of starting a family one day.

I was given two options: go on ahead with a hysterectomy followed by chemo radiation therapy or try something called family sparing or fertility preservation.

Having witnessed first hand the rigorous aspects of a cancer journey, I had a lot to think about in terms of care and legacy. I thought I had time. I thought I had time to create the life and the family that I've always wanted and desired.

Within those hours, I was determined to fight this disease head on and do everything in my power to live my best life and to thrive. To heal.

In those moments, I knew with unwavering conviction that cancer will not win! It will not stop me from achieving my heart's desire!

I opted to go on hormonal treatment for the next few months in hopes of being able to preserve fertility and to have a biological child of my own one day, I currently have a small window in which I can preserve and store my eggs before going on to the second phase of my treatment. Which include the hysterectomy and the chemo and radiation therapy.

Now I find myself in need of financial assistance to cover the extensive medical costs associated with my treatment plan.

The bills continue to pile up and I am determined not to let them stand in my way of my recovery and my future family.

I am also on intermittent unpaid leave from my current place of employment. As I go into the second phase of treatment, I will be unable to work.

Although there will be some form of financial assistance, it will take up to six months after I stop working to receive any type of benefits.

Every single application, with exception to the organization for fertility preservation, that I have applied for to get any type of assistance during this time has been denied.

I find myself humbly relying on the community to help me on this recovery journey. Creating a safe space for me to heal and to overcome this. Again, cancer will not win!

Fertility preservation: $10,500

I have been connected to a wonderful cancer organization that is paying for half of my fertility costs so this is the other half.

Rent, transportation, utilities and food expenses: $8,000

Also accepting gift cards via Instacart, Seamless, Uber

This is where I humbly ask for your help. Your donation, no matter the size, could make all the difference in helping me access critical care and resources I need to overcome this challenge and emerge stronger than ever.

I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer, positive thinking, and community and I know that together we can ensure that cancer does not succeed.

With your help, I know that I can triumph over this disease and write the next chapter of my life - one filled with love, hope, joy and the beautiful pitter patter of little feet.

Kat