Kathleen “Kathy” Bryan is a 3rd generation native of Flagstaff, Arizona and has lived in Flagstaff for all her life.  Kathy retired in 2015 as a Labor and Delivery nurse from the Flagstaff Medical Center where she served the Northern Arizona community for 39 years.  This past year, Kathy has been fighting an aggressive form of liver cancer and now the expenses are overwhelming.  In her 39 years as a nurse she has touched the hearts of so many, so let’s help her!

Just shortly after Kathy retired and was planning how to spend her Golden Years, she received the life shattering news, Kathy was diagnosed with liver cancer.  It was a devastating blow to such a kind lady who spent her lifetime helping others, her future would never be the same.  Kathy had to face head on the super bowl of all surgeries (as the doctors put it), a full liver transplant.  Kathy and her family couldn't imagine what that Super Bowl meant for her and what it entailed, from the countless surgeries, exams, screenings and all the ups and downs that came along with this type of endeavor.  Finding a donor with the rare blood type was the first huge hurdle.  Kathy waited patiently as she watched countless livers pass her by because they weren’t a match, but she never gave up the fight!   Her medical team, which is touted as being the top in the country, flew to California to retrieve a liver that was a match for Kathy! This was her chance; and the only chance before she would be pulled from the transplant list.  The liver was imperfect and not ideal, but they knew this liver was her only option and the one that would give Kathy just a little more time.   What incredible news Kathy just received!

After a middle of the night phone call telling Kathy to be at the Hospital within 30 minutes, the transplant happened and was considered successful.  Kathy’s new chance of life with her new liver was on the right track but included taking 20+ pills a day and countless doctors’ visits.  It seemed as though her pill bag (grocery size bag) was her biggest accessory. 

Despite all the success, Kathy learned of more tragic news, the cancer spread, it was not localized to only the liver.  Since then Kathy has had many setbacks.  The most critical of them all is the cancer has now clogged her bile ducts leading to what nobody wanted to hear, infection.   

Kathy was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, April 16th after being in the hospital for over a month trying to fight this horrible disease.  At the doctor’s recommendation, the best place for Kathy to be right now is with family, friends and stopping all medications and treatments.  Kathy has put up an admirable fight!

Kathy has spent her entire life taking care of everyone else.  If you delivered a baby, or visited a baby at the Flagstaff Medical Center in the last 39 years, Kathy was probably there and touched your life.  With all of the medical bills adding up, the cost of medication is indescribable.  Jeff and Kathy Bryan could use any help you feel you could give.  At 63 years old, Kathy will lose the fight to cancer.  She gave cancer a worthy fight, and will be in peace at home with family, friends and her dogs in Phoenix, Arizona then ultimately in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Now, it's time that we send back some of that love and support to Kathy that she has given all of us. We would like to raise money to help ease the financial burdens on her family so they are able to focus on spending each and every moment with Kathy and making as many memories together as possible. To let Kathy know her family will be taken care of and she won't have to worry.

Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated. 

Everything we can do to help and surround her with love is what is most important so she can focus on her loved ones.  Please spread the word. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Please feel free to leave any heartfelt comments for Kathy. Her family and friends appreciate all your kind words, thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time.