Katrina's Road to Recovery

Dear Friends,

We are starting a “GoFundMe” account for our lifelong friend’s daughter, Katrina Ourtiague Young.

Katrina is the most loving, strong-willed, and bright sixteen-year-old we know. She has been through so much the last couple of years and never complained.

In 2015, Katrina was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She successfully fought for 3 long, exhausting years and was doing well. She was finally able to participate in simple activities other teens take for granted, such as attending high school and hanging out with friends.

Unfortunately, the Leukemia returned this past Spring. After going through chemotherapy and radiation yet again, Katrina also endured a painful bone marrow transplant earlier this month. While the road ahead is precarious and daunting, Katrina, as mentioned, is a strong young woman and is determined to make a full recovery.

However, due to the complexity and severity of this latest diagnosis, the closest recovery facility for Katrina is in Philadelphia, which is over 2 hours from her home in New Jersey. This first stage of recovery is expected to last 3 months, and, as per doctor’s orders, Katrina’s parents are required to stay in close proximity throughout this time, never being more than 50 miles away. This will require significant, unplanned expenses for the family. Moreover, once the family can return home in late November, they will have multiple follow-up appointments in Philadelphia for several months, including additional out-of-pocket costs.

Katrina and her family are looking forward to putting this behind them and enjoying a bright future, but the current situation has been, and continues to be, difficult. We are certain that Katrina and her parents, Evelyne and Edgar, would be forever grateful for any support you can provide.

Thank you,

Ann Marie, Daniele, Theresa and Mary