Greetings World! This is a really difficult story to write because the person I am seeking help and support for is not the picture of someone needing help and support. Likewise, her family is very tight yet private, not needy, and they lean on one another. It's not about getting in their life, so they are not the focus here; it's about supporting someone who is their beacon who would never ask for support. When I visited her after surgery and recovery, I asked her if she had a GoFundMe. Her response was, "I don't feel right about that because I feel there are other people who need help more than me."

My intention is to give you a portrait of all the incredible good, joy, and life she brings to the world, and I will end on that note. For starters, I was compelled to start this fundraiser after Cathy and her daughter shared another fundraiser recently. Even though it raised money, I know it took time, and the percentage going directly to Cathy and her family was less than what they deserve. The Smiths are a very tight yet private family, which is why I am careful not to use their images or stories to gain sympathy, which I respect.

In her own words, Cathy courageously reached out to get help and disclosed her very personal battle. She recently gave me permission to share as well.

Cathy's words of courage:

"Hey Friends and Family! As many of you know, I have been diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer. Having visited the doctor many times with complaints of chest wall pain, I was told for over a year that it was costochondritis. [NOTE: She came to visit me for my 60th birthday in 2023 and fell to her knees in pain as it took her breath away. That is the cover image; I have costochondritis, and that never happened to me.] As the pains got worse and spread to my ribs and spine, my doctor finally admitted she didn't know what it was, which caused me to go to Patient First for a second opinion. With one x-ray, the doctor told me to go to the emergency room immediately. But I stopped by McDonald's first, knowing how long it takes to get seen in the ER. I spent the next 7 days in the hospital. They found cancer in my chest, spine, ribs, and lungs. I was devastated!

While I do have insurance, unfortunately, it doesn't cover all the medical expenses. I am already facing a significant amount of out-of-pocket expenses, and when they shrink all of the cancer cells, I will need two surgeries. [This will require missed time from work, which I have avoided as much as possible.]

Some of you have asked me to let you know how you could support me during this journey. Any donation is appreciated and will go directly to covering medical bills, treatment costs, and any other necessary expenses. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support."

I have started this GoFundMe for my sister friend forever, Cathy Smith. What she disclosed was very personal and heartbreaking, but I want you to leave this page focused on all of the positives Cathy gives to everyone else because that is her gift to the world.

She recently shared a fundraiser she created, and I shared it on my page as well. I wanted to build something for her that requires less effort on her part so she can focus on healing and spending time with her mom, husband, three daughters, son-in-law, granddaughter, her many AKA sister friends, and friends and family by blood and by heart.

I met Cathy in 2018 when we were teaching at the same middle school in Fort Meade. She was a math teacher, and I worked in special education. It was about this time of year, in March, when I invited her into my classroom to partake of some of my “teacher hoard” since I was transitioning to an Assistive Technology position in another county.

I have transitioned to many jobs, and usually, I lose touch with my coworkers. Cathy was one of those people I kept in touch with because she had such an infectious, positive spirit! We “talked” regularly during the COVID-19 journey. If anyone knows me, they know my “bling,” and Cathy is my “supplier” of bling. I would drop by her house and go shopping sometimes, have some mushroom coffee, look at the art she created with her granddaughter, and greet the ankle-biter dog on the other side of the baby gate. I took my son, David, over to her house to meet her and to see a person with such a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

So friends, some may say being a middle school math teacher is enough, but she is also a business owner of not one, but two businesses, Braids and Weaves by Cathy and CatBling2 Thing, selling jewelry. She has a little side room at her house with all her wares, and also a place where she does art with her granddaughter! It makes me tired just thinking of all she does. She has such a giving spirit; she developed a program at her school for students to get their hair done after school, and she does jewelry fundraisers to get incentives for her students. Her spirit shines when she talks about plans to open up a community center with homework help and fellowship to support families and youth. She specifically wanted to live and work in the community of Severn, Maryland by Fort Meade since they are a military family.

As much as she gives, she wants to give back more. She is a gifted and selfless tough-love-kinda middle school math teacher who never gives up on her students. She has continued teaching through her battle, which shows her strength. I believe it breaks her heart and spirit to think about not working through a life-saving surgery because her giving back is what energizes her.

Pray for a miracle because I believe she has more work to do changing the world one child, and one smile at a time. We all need a little more Cathy/CatBling in our lives.