KAROLINA STEPEK MEDICAL FUND

Hello All,

Officer Karolina Stepek, our dear friend and sister...as many of you may or may not know, has been dealt another serious health blow...this time, it is Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).  I say ANOTHER health blow, because Karolina is actually a Breast Cancer survivor...which is how we (Ben & Krystyna) came to know her in July 2013.  Krystyna is involved with the "Look Good, Feel Better" program through the making Strides Against Breast Cancer/ACS. Karolina was one of the patients who was attending the program. 

When Krystyna and Karolina met, it was instant sisterhood and a true friendship for a lifetime.  I remember when Krystyna first told me (Ben) about this "amazing woman" she kept talking about and eventually I had the PRIVILEGE of meeting and INSTANTLY loving Karolina as well.  She came into our lives like a beautiful whirlwind with a mind, body and spirit full of energy and wisdom and humor. The more we got to know her, our minds never ceased to be blown by what this truly amazing person has accomplished on many levels, including: physical, spiritual, academic...talk about a real "Go-Getter".  It truly is humbling.   We cannot tell you enough how fortunate and honored we have been to actually know and love this incredible human being. 

We have seen her grow from the trials and tribulations of having and surviving Breast Cancer to actually going through the Chicago Police Academy and becoming an OFFICER!  We actually attended her graduation and are always enthralled by the stories of "the beat", etc..  Like I said, this amazing spirit has truly been a blessing in our lives, and ALL who know her will say the same thing, "This fierce fighter, this beautiful, strong young woman...this FORCE to be reckoned with, is simply AMAZING...and to know her is to love her."

That being said, friends and family, we (ALL who love her, not to mention HER,obviously) were all dealt a HUGE BLOW to our hearts and souls a week or so ago...when what was seemingly thought to be a "flu" of sorts, turned into a devastating diagnosis for this young woman...this survivor of another form of cancer, not three years ago.  She hadn't been "feeling too well" last week and  went to get checked out...and thus, found herself in the ICU at the hospital that night.  Since then she has been tranferred to the Oncology Ward at Prentice Women's Hopspital in Chicago.

Well, here's the scoop...she WILL need help with the huge costs of her Medical Coverage, not to mention general living expenses, bills, etc., as she will be in the hospital for weeks, possibly months, to come.

We have set a goal of $10,000 for our fundraising efforts, which we would love to exceed of course, but feel that is a reasonable amount to try and meet to help with...EVERTYHING!  We fully acknowledge that there are many of you who are dealing with your own battles, but if there is ANYTHING you feel you can spare to help, our gratitude is beyond measure...  Please do what you can for her financially, but if you cannot contribute on a financial level; PLEASE just pray for our dear Karolina.  I promise you, prayers and healing thoughts are just as valuable...if not more.  We need ANY and EVERYTHING in the prayer department, and DEFINITELY, any financial contributions WILL help as well. 

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to any and all of you for your help.  With much gratitude and blessings to you all...

Sincerely,

Ben & Krystyna Velasco