Support Katie Albert's Brave Battle Against Cancer

We have come together as a group to raise funds in support of the Albert Family, specifically Jeff Albert’s daughter Katie, who is courageously battling brain cancer.

Katie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, a Grade 3 Astrocytoma, IDH1 R132H mutant. With her family by her side, she has shown remarkable strength as she navigates the challenges of brain surgery followed by medical complications and ongoing treatment.

Katie’s fight will continue with immediate treatments, potential experimental drugs, and a focus on preserving her future dreams, including the possibility of starting a family. With Katie’s blessing, we have organized this fundraiser to help ease the financial burden she and her family are facing during this difficult journey. The Albert family has shown incredible resilience in ensuring Katie receives the best care, but they now face additional medical expenses.

Although the Alberts have not asked for help, we believe that coming together as a community is the least we can do to support them in this time of need. We are reaching out to friends, family, and the broader community to rally together in support of Katie and her family as they prepare for this extended battle.

Jeff has always been there for our families and children - now it’s our turn to be there for them. All contributions will go directly to Katie’s medical needs during this challenging time.

***Thank you for your generosity and support. It is with immense joy and deep gratitude that we share this exciting news: thanks to your incredible generosity and an exceptionally generous donation from a wonderful Curtis family, we have reached our initial fundraising goal! Given this amazing support, we have decided to raise our goal further to expand opportunities for Katie's medical care and treatments. THANK YOU!!!

Welcome Aboard!!

My name is Katie Albert, and I am here to share my story. Picture this. Six years ago I solo flew my first aircraft. At the age of twenty one, I became a commercial pilot and the youngest certified flight instructor at Van Nuys Airport. Over the next four years, I proceeded to teach countless future pilots the art and magic that aviation has to offer. During this time, I also worked hard for my Bachelors of Science degree in Aviation Management, continuing to put my all into every task I sought out to do. Through my extensive work with local FAA examiners, I found myself a job as a department of defense contractor for the United States Navy. Two and half years goes by and I flew Navy personnel from different bases throughout Southern California living out my wildest aviation dreams. In March of 2024, I took the leap to apply to United Airlines while I continued to manage a major part 141 flight school in Camarillo. 2024 was moving in an amazing direction until I was faced with a very challenging and devastating day.

April 30th is likely a day I will never forget. It is the day the words, “brain tumor” were first ever brought into my personal vocabulary or rather life style; and this brain tumor decided to change my flight plan.

Compartmentalization is something that each aviator is gifted. From day one of training, we teach how to handle extremely stressful situations. We are faced with risky situations, on a daily basis, and have to create a repertoire as to how to handle ourselves in a professional environment. Through risk management training, exposure, and pure experience, we can hold ourselves to a standard that brings us back to the ground safely. We take the human factor out when needed, and handle each situation that is thrown our way up in the flight levels. That is exactly how I have been handling this situation. On April 30th, when my family was told that I have a brain tumor that needed to be operated on, the first question I asked was, how soon can we take it out. A week later my tumor was successfully removed and sent off to pathology for further testing. I ran into this situation with complete bravery and told myself I will compartmentalize now and deal later. I braved my way through surgery, and a few complications, which led to a week in ICU. Now two months later, I am walking, talking, and you would never know that I had my brain operated on as I never allowed it to “dim my sparkle”. All I continue to question my team with is, when can I safely get back to my career? When can I do what I love and take people near and far to their loved ones, so I can get back to being me?

Unfortunately, there is still some treatment to come. I have a very rare brain tumor and will be undergoing more treatment in the next two months. So for now, my professional career has come to a pause. The words grade 3 astrocytoma, are also new to my world. As in my professional world, with engine, electrical, and mechanical failures, I told my doctors just give me the plan and let’s go. I am fighting for all of those around me and to share my story. I know that through this my sparkle is still there and I will one day be safe enough to fly again. One of my biggest goals out of this, is who else can I help or inspire. I know that my age is a gift and through the love and support I have felt, that this is no task that I cannot overcome.

I am grateful to those around that are here to listen to my story, and those by my side watching me with grace and patience. I could not be more thankful for my family and friends that have witnessed this life changing event but have allowed me to process and shine regardless. It is through this strength, that I know my career will be waiting for me on the other side and I will brave my way through each step.

Yours truly,

Katie