Rally For Cathy: This Is What Community Looks Like!

I met Cathy Coleman at Lindgren School & Summer Camp when she became my son's preschool teacher, cheerleader, protector, and role model of all things resilient and beautiful. She went from being our teacher, to our friend, to our beloved chosen family.

Cathy is a warrior and anyone who meets her knows that despite multiple and ongoing health issues, she still shows up. She shows up for her own family and friends, and also, for all of the families and children at Lindgren, her beloved school community: loving our babies, keeping them safe, teaching them healthy communication, nourishing their needs, freeing their spirits, and ensuring that each child is seen and heard. When you meet Cathy, you know, deep in your bones, that you’ve met someone very special, and it’s impossible not to cherish her goodness and to feel inspired by her integrity and strength. For all of the years that Cathy has devoted her time and energy to our children and community, and for her consistent love and care, it’s time for us to give back, and provide that same support, dedication and love to a sister in need, and to someone we hold dear. Because even if you haven't met Cathy, chances are, you would fall in love with her soul and spirit almost immediately.

In April 2024, Cathy braved a double mastectomy after learning that an aggressive form of breast cancer had returned. From June to July 2024, following the surgery, Cathy received radiation, and it was deeply painful, causing swelling that resulted in not being able to eat. In the fall, Cathy attempted to reconstruct the area she had lost, but almost immediately, spiked a high fever, and experienced intense pain, including cellulitis and inflammation. Cathy endured intolerable pain though all of October, and in November, her body rejected the expanders that had been surgically implanted, and she watched in horror as they burst through her skin. She was admitted to the hospital with fevers and a pain that even Cathy has difficulty articulating. Throughout this process, she has somehow still maintained weekly immunotherapy, experiencing exhaustion from both the treatments and being neutropenic. However, despite unconquerable odds, Cathy has continued to show up for the children of Lindgren, day-in-and-day-out, and attempt to maintain her work schedule and attend weekly medical appointments. She is a testament to warriorship, resilience, and she embodies more strength in her pinky, than most can muster in a lifetime. And lest we forget her attitude each day, which is always positive and inspiring, and she is often putting the needs of others over her own.

Like most chronic illnesses, patients are left with overwhelming debt and very little recourse to pay it off. Cathy needs our help to do this so her income can maintain her home and living expenses, and for most of us, it will be an absolute privilege to help.

Please give what you can and send healing energy to our girl! She has a long road ahead, and a lot of healing to do, but like always, she's showing up for work, and for our kids, and so we ask now, that you show up for her too.

With love, gratitude & appreciation, we thank you.