Katie Lien Burton Memorial

In June 2011, three weeks after Katie married the love of her life Brett, her life changed forever. She wasn’t feeling well so she visited her doctor in Kansas City and was diagnosed with hepatic and splenic vein thrombosis. This was just the beginning of a long and painful journey with her health. Later that year, they diagnosed her with Budd Chiari Syndrome, JAK2-positive myeloproliferative disorder and essential thrombocythemia.

Katie had worked hard finishing her masters; was doing what she loved working with children as a Special Education Teacher; she and Brett had just got married and bought a home; and she spent her weekends cheering on Kansas State with an amazing group of friends. Katie’s world suddenly went into a tailspin with this diagnosis.

Right before Christmas in 2013 she had three major GI bleeds due to a splenic clot, which were thankfully able to be controlled. We really thought we might lose her. Luckily the doctors were able to place a TIPS (a type of shunt) and that improved her life immensely until 2018. In August of that year, her disease progressed in to that word none of us ever wanted to hear… CANCER (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).

To treat her cancer over the next two and a half years, she had 26 cycles of Dacogen before it stopped working. Next they tried Cladrine, cytarabine and Venetoclax. This treatment only worked for 3 months before it stopped working. Nothing was putting her back into remission. This has led to search for something non-conventional, which is a Magro Clinical Trial only provided at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.

This clinical trial is the only trial that attacks the TP53 mutation gene Katie has, which is what makes her cancer so difficult to fight and cure. The TP53 gene is a rare gene mutation that is the most difficult to fight and get rid of. This trial will fight this rare mutation and help Katie get back to remission so she will be ready for a bone marrow transplant back in Utah.

By fighting the TP53 mutation gene during the trial, she has a greater chance of beating cancer after the bone marrow transplant. Katie and her mom Kathy are now in Houston and Katie has qualified for the Magro Trial. Katie will need to be in Houston for 3 months. Insurance is covering the treatment but that is all. There are so many other expenses that are not covered - including treatment of any side-effects she has from the trial, travel expenses, co-pays, specialists, lodging and the list goes on. This has been so difficult emotionally and financially for Katie and Brett.  After the diagnosis, Katie was able to work for 6 years before her white blood count was too low to be around children. I am asking for YOUR financial support so Katie can focus on getting better.

This 10 year battle has been financially draining on Katie and Brett. They need our help!

Please donate TODAY. Your support now will help with medical expenses coming in daily and the costs of going to Houston for the treatment. Please share Katie’s journey with others. We thank you for your consideration.