Help Catana Access Critical Cancer Care

Hi, our names are Amy and Stephanie, and we’re raising funds on behalf of our dear friend Catana. We’ve been witness to our dear friend going through unimaginable challenges while showing up with strength and resilience.

Please note: GoFundMe deducts processing and platform fees from each donation, so the amount Catana actually receives will be slightly less than the total shown on this page.

Catana is a life strategist, artist, and author, and a deeply compassionate human who has spent her life navigating uncertainty with clarity and grace while helping others.

After several years of struggling to breathe and being repeatedly dismissed by medical professionals, Catana was finally taken seriously after an ER visit following a car accident revealed suspicious growths on her lungs. After multiple tests and evaluations through Stanford’s medical team, Catana received the devastating news: she has a rare form of lung cancer.

This diagnosis was not only shocking—it was validating after years of unexplained symptoms and unanswered questions.

Catana is now preparing for a lung resection surgery at Stanford Hospital, that is nearly three hours away. She has had pre-surgery appointments already and currently scheduled for her initial surgery on February 3rd, 2026.

Here’s where the immediate challenge comes in: Catana and her husband, Joe, do not currently have a car, and they do not have the financial means to rent one. Getting to and from these appointments simply isn’t possible without support.

During Catana’s surgery and hospital stay, Joe will need to stay nearby in a hotel so he can be close to her and support her recovery. Because Joe does not have a driver’s license, he will also need to rely on Uber or Lyft for transportation while Catana is in surgery and unable to drive.

Funds raised through this GoFundMe will go directly toward:

* Renting a car for Catana’s medical appointments and surgery

* Daily rental car insurance

* Gas and tolls for long-distance travel

* Hotel stays for Joe during Catana’s surgery

* Uber/Lyft transportation while Catana is hospitalized

* Out-of-pocket medical expenses

This support will allow Catana and Joe to focus on her health and healing—without the constant stress of wondering how they will physically get to the care she needs or remain close during surgery.

Any amount you can give truly helps. And if you’re unable to donate, sharing this page means just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read Catana’s story and for supporting her during this incredibly vulnerable chapter. Your generosity, care, and presence make a real difference.

With deep gratitude,

Amy & Stephanie