Help Kathy and her family during her brain cancer recurrence

A young mother’s brain cancer journey

Kathy Murray (née Matej) is a loving mother to two wonderful boys (10 and 7). She’s an amazing wife, sister and daughter, and a great friend. In 2019, she was diagnosed with brain cancer (Astrocytoma Grade 2/3) and underwent tumor resection shortly after diagnosis. Rounds of proton radiation and chemo followed, and cancer recurrence was held at bay for 6 years. During those 6 years, Kathy and her family relocated to Maine from NYC to live a slower-paced life, and to be closer to family. She continued to see an oncologist, with MRIs every 3-6 months to ensure the cancer had not returned.

However, in October 2024, Kathy suffered two back-to-back seizures, which prompted more frequent MRIs. In February 2025, a new mass was discovered. Doctors were unable to tell if the mass was late-onset necrosis from previous radiation, or a new tumor. Another MRI was ordered for the following month, and by March, the mass nearly double in size. After consulting with a half dozen doctors and surgeons from Maine, NYC, and Boston, Kathy’s care team decided that biopsy followed by LiTT surgery would be the best option to shrink the mass.

After a lot of back and forth with insurance (including a last-minute approval after 2 rounds of appeals), surgery was performed at the end of March at Maine Medical Center. The surgeon was dismayed to find the mass had grown larger since Kathy’s last scan, but “said a Hail Mary” and proceeded with the surgery. Despite his initial concerns, he was able to “zap” 98% of the mass, a feat he didn’t think was possible given its size. Kathy recovered well from surgery and was able to go home the next day.

Biopsy results came in a few days later, and they showed that while there was some necrosis, the mass was indeed a recurrence of brain cancer. However, unlike 6 years ago, it’s likely a grade 4 tumor because of the fast growth and necrosis surrounding the tumor.

And so, another chapter in Kathy’s cancer journey begins. Her amazing neuro-oncologist is trying to get Kathy into a clinical trial: she is on the list in Boston, but Washington DC and Duke U are also options. If a clinical trial isn’t possible within the next 3 weeks, her doctor will reassess with an MRI at that time. If the tumor area is stable, Kathy will be able to wait on chemo for the time being, while continuing to pursue entrance into a trial.

Throughout all of this, Kathy has maintained her sense of humor and light. But we all know this fight will not be easy. Her husband Trevor will be taking unpaid time off work under FMLA to care for Kathy and tend to her needs. We ask if you can donate any spare funds to help ease their financial burden. The money raised will help with costs associated with clinical trials, medical expenses, childcare, groceries, gas, rent, travel expenses, and anything else they need during this time.