Support Kathryn in her breast cancer battle

Hi all!

My name is Natalie. I am starting this GoFundMe for my best friend of many years, Kathryn Kummer. I, along with our longtime friend Amy Kerr, would like to share Kathryn's story in hopes that we can ease her family's financial burden due to her recent breast cancer diagnosis.

On April 3rd, Kathryn called me with the devastating news that the lump found in her left breast had come back positive for cancer. After days of waiting for the pathology report, Kathryn was given the news that her cancer type was triple-negative. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer that is unaffected by hormones or the HER2 gene. Because of this particular cancer diagnosis, there is no time to waste when it comes to treatment. Kathryn was thrown right into multiple appointments a day, emotionally draining information, and painful blood draws. Her treatment plan includes surgeries, multiple procedures, and the definitive need for chemotherapy.

Before Kathryn’s diagnosis, she and Doug were planning to have another baby. The diagnosis, because it necessitates immediate chemotherapy, created uncertainty as to whether expanding their family would be possible. However, after lots of research and medical guidance, Kathryn and Doug learned that, with only two weeks before the start of chemo, they would be able to undergo IVF with hopes of embryo retrieval. Fertility treatments are underway as preparations for chemotherapy occur simultaneously.

Kathryn and Doug have a beautiful son, Teddy. Their family is beautiful, and Kathryn is the bravest person! We’re so proud to call her our best friend.

When Kathryn begins chemotherapy in a few days, it is unclear what the effects will be on her body and on everyday living. She is usually busy privately tutoring collegiate-level high school students and caring for Teddy, but much is unknown when it comes to whether she’ll be able to continue to work throughout the several-month-long process. Because of the unexpected and significant financial burden along with the unimaginable stress of the diagnosis, Kathryn deserves as many fighters by her side as possible until she is cancer free! We’d like to extend this opportunity to support Kathryn in her fight, raising some money and helping her over this hurdle in her life.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story. We appreciate you all!