Team Kathleen
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A lover of the outdoors, live music, entertaining, exercising, and her dog Macy, Kathleen thrives when she connects with the beauty of nature around her - always seeking to experience new destinations with the family and friends she loves so dearly. Growing up in New England and time in Atlanta during middle and high school, Kathleen quickly built life-long relationships with friends across the country.
She graduated from The University of Dayton, and soon planted roots in Denver, CO where she built up an active lifestyle so common of the region.
Kathleen has always been in strong physical shape, and yoga became a major focus - culminating in her training and certification as an instructor in 2016. She truly enjoyed sharing her passion for yoga with her students. She wouldn't turn down any invitation to hike, bike, kayak, or otherwise join in most outdoor activities. She relocated to Salida, CO where she could still experience these activities, but with the small town vibe.

Photo courtesy of The Yoga Tonic
Above all, Kathleen cherishes simplicity and her ability to explore the world around her.
But this freedom was more difficult to reach beginning in mid 2017, with Kathleen noticing continual weakness and fatigue in her legs and hand. She spent nearly a year undergoing testing, seeking medical guidance, and receiving diagnostic care from her doctors and specialists to determine what was happening to her. Her physical, emotional, and mental strength was tested, but Kathleen remained strong in light of these developments.
To focus completely on her health, Kathleen moved from Salida to Boston (where her parents - Maureen and Bill - reside) in May 2018. Her care is the highest priority.
In August 2018, our beloved Kathleen received the devastating news that she indeed has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Kathleen turned 36 years-old this past week, is completely loved and supported by her mother and father, her three older brothers, their families, and the many extended family members and friends across the US and around the world. She has stopped full-time work and is now focusing 100% on her care and fighting this terrible disease.
As Kathleen faces the reality of ALS, we are so grateful for the many family and friends who want to help support her - we thank you whole-heartedly. In this new phase of her life, your outpouring of thoughts, prayers, notes, visits, encouraging messages, and donations (in any amount) for Kathleen are appreciated more than you know.
Kathleen’s mission at this time is to continue connecting with her family and friends (in suitable outdoor settings and social gatherings) for as long as she is able. She still has the ability to travel by plane or car, and wants to make these visits a priority at this time.
The McCarron family is focused on our beautiful Kathleen. We invite you to be a part of Team Kathleen - and in turn, our extended family - and to join us in this fight on her behalf.
You can follow Kathleen on Instagram: @kathleeeenm
We've set up a Slack community here to share updates and discussions - you can request access here .
If you have questions about Team Kathleen, or just want to discuss other ways to support Kathleen, contact:
Kevin McCarron ([email redacted]) - [phone redacted]
Katie Whyde ([email redacted])
How you can help - Updated 11/06/2018 :
Any donation to Team Kathleen will be applied to 4 areas:
- Remodeling costs for her accommodations in Boston - providing a home-base close to her medical team
- Supplementing her medical care, equipment, practitioner, and drug costs
- Supporting travel arrangements for Kathleen’s in-person gatherings with her family and friends
- Establishing a philanthropic arm of Team Kathleen for ALS research
What Is ALS?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people. The brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles in Kathleen's body break down, she will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. You can read the full details here.
The ALS Therapy Development Institute
She graduated from The University of Dayton, and soon planted roots in Denver, CO where she built up an active lifestyle so common of the region.
Kathleen has always been in strong physical shape, and yoga became a major focus - culminating in her training and certification as an instructor in 2016. She truly enjoyed sharing her passion for yoga with her students. She wouldn't turn down any invitation to hike, bike, kayak, or otherwise join in most outdoor activities. She relocated to Salida, CO where she could still experience these activities, but with the small town vibe.

Photo courtesy of The Yoga Tonic
Above all, Kathleen cherishes simplicity and her ability to explore the world around her.
But this freedom was more difficult to reach beginning in mid 2017, with Kathleen noticing continual weakness and fatigue in her legs and hand. She spent nearly a year undergoing testing, seeking medical guidance, and receiving diagnostic care from her doctors and specialists to determine what was happening to her. Her physical, emotional, and mental strength was tested, but Kathleen remained strong in light of these developments.
To focus completely on her health, Kathleen moved from Salida to Boston (where her parents - Maureen and Bill - reside) in May 2018. Her care is the highest priority.
In August 2018, our beloved Kathleen received the devastating news that she indeed has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Kathleen turned 36 years-old this past week, is completely loved and supported by her mother and father, her three older brothers, their families, and the many extended family members and friends across the US and around the world. She has stopped full-time work and is now focusing 100% on her care and fighting this terrible disease.
As Kathleen faces the reality of ALS, we are so grateful for the many family and friends who want to help support her - we thank you whole-heartedly. In this new phase of her life, your outpouring of thoughts, prayers, notes, visits, encouraging messages, and donations (in any amount) for Kathleen are appreciated more than you know.
Kathleen’s mission at this time is to continue connecting with her family and friends (in suitable outdoor settings and social gatherings) for as long as she is able. She still has the ability to travel by plane or car, and wants to make these visits a priority at this time.
The McCarron family is focused on our beautiful Kathleen. We invite you to be a part of Team Kathleen - and in turn, our extended family - and to join us in this fight on her behalf.
You can follow Kathleen on Instagram: @kathleeeenm
We've set up a Slack community here to share updates and discussions - you can request access here .
If you have questions about Team Kathleen, or just want to discuss other ways to support Kathleen, contact:
Kevin McCarron ([email redacted]) - [phone redacted]
Katie Whyde ([email redacted])
How you can help - Updated 11/06/2018 :
Any donation to Team Kathleen will be applied to 4 areas:
- Remodeling costs for her accommodations in Boston - providing a home-base close to her medical team
- Supplementing her medical care, equipment, practitioner, and drug costs
- Supporting travel arrangements for Kathleen’s in-person gatherings with her family and friends
- Establishing a philanthropic arm of Team Kathleen for ALS research
What Is ALS?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people. The brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles in Kathleen's body break down, she will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. You can read the full details here.
The ALS Therapy Development Institute
Organizer and beneficiary
Kevin McCarron
Organizer
Plymouth, MA
Kathleen McCarron
Beneficiary