Like many women, my sister Kathy is a wife, mother, full-time employee, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend.  Unlike many women, Kathy and her family have been plagued with medical challenges.  And she has shouldered most of these quietly, including mounting medical expenses.  Now, the caregiver has become the patient.  And she and her family need your help.

Kathy heard that most-feared word - CANCER - for herself the day after Christmas, 2016.  Not exactly the present she was hoping for.  But in true Kathy spirit, she's facing it with a positive attitude, worrying more about her daughter and her husband than herself.  Because that's what she' s used to doing.

You see, her beautiful daughter Taylor (in the photo) was born with a rare neurological disorder, neurofibromatosis.  Don't be surprised if you're her good friend and never knew it - it's kind of a silent disorder unless you know what to look for or if you knew that Taylor had two brain surgeries as a child.  Fortunately, the second was successful.  But the disorder and its multiple challenges are still there.  So are the medical bills.  But Kathy wouldn't have wanted you to know that.  

Kathy's husband Frank, a Vietnam Vet who worked for decades until his body gave out, has not been able to work for many years.  Frank is a survivor - a kidney and bladder cancer survivor and heart surgery survivor.  And he's had other surgeries and medical bills.  But Kathy wouldn't have wanted you to know that.

Kathy faces a double mastectomy on February 10.  She has multiple tumors.  The ultimate medical prognosis is good, but as the sole breadwinner, she's going to miss a lot of work and a lot of paychecks, and suffer a lot of pain.  And there are the medical bills and living bills.  She's hopeful - and scared.  She's the mom, she's the wife, she's the caregiver, she's not supposed to be the patient.

So now Kathy has given me permission to tell her story and her family's story and to ask for help.  And if you know Kathy, you know she must really need the help to allow me to do this.  She is the giver - the maker of dinners for others, the thrower of parties for others, the driver when you need her, the laughter when you're down.  I can't remember her ever asking for anything.  

So I'm asking for her, for her family, for her survival.  Because cancer isn't all physical - it's a mental battle that requires positive energy.  And she could use a little support right now.  I want to show her how much she means to so many people.  And I want to show her that she's an inspiration to people she hasn't even met.

Donate what you can and PLEASE share this page.  Even if you can't donate, please share this page.  Because you know that's what Kathy would do, even if she didn't know you.