Help Kat (Min) Fight Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

We have initiated a Go Fund Me in support of our friend, daughter, and sister, Kat OConnor (a.k.a. Min to those in Philly). After months of suffering from a variety of physical symptoms that are typically explained by simple diagnoses, Kat recently experienced a health crisis when a trip to her primary care doctor and a routine blood test resulted in a sudden referral to the ER, and then immediate hospitalization for several days of focused care and testing. A bone marrow biopsy revealed that Kat has Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

As Kat moves forward and begins to process this diagnosis, seek necessary care, and begin to make recommended changes to her daily life, routines, and employment, we are looking to offer her our emotional support, as well as a financial cushion to help her. She is in the process of establishing herself with a cancer treatment center, seeking a recommended second opinion, and beginning to navigate the various treatment options, and intensive testing that accompanies the overwhelming early days of the diagnosis of a chronic health condition.

CML is not curable but it is treatable and Kat is taking great comfort in that, even as she waits several months for confirmation that her particular type of CML will respond well to the traditional treatment. Unfortunately the results of her initial bone marrow biopsy did not provide clear insight into whether or not her CML will respond to the traditional first line of treatment.

As Kat redirects the strength, determination, and capability she has used to build (and rebuild after the pandemic) her successful dog walking and pet care business to her own care and treatment, her doctors have recommended that she scale back her business. The next six to 12 months will be particularly challenging as she adjusts to medications and their physical side effects, and goes to medical appointments and testing. Dog walking and pet care is emotionally therapeutic, however it is also physically demanding. Her pivot to focusing on her own care includes exploring options for a new and/or supplemental career, as she expects to live (and thrive!) with CML for many years to come.

Kat welcomes your prayers and messages of support. If you have a survivor story to share, please do so, as she is learning this diagnosis is more common than any of us realized, and fortunately the stories of hope are plentiful, too! Your financial support, in any amount, will help Kat to cover basic living expenses, medication expenses, and medical bills, as all of these are expected to be challenging in the months ahead.

With love and gratitude for your prayers and generosity,

The O'Connor family and Kat's dear friends