Help Katie Armstrong Fight Stage 4 Leukemia
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180 donations
Hi, my name is Katie Armstrong, and I am asking for help during the biggest battle of my life. My family and I have proudly called Belvidere home for the past 17 years. I am 44 years old and a mother of four amazing children who mean absolutely everything to me. They have been my strength, my motivation, and the reason I continue to fight every single day.
I was first diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) when I was just 23 years old. For more than two decades, I have endured countless treatments, chemotherapy, hospitalizations, and setbacks. While I have continued to push forward, the years of treatment have taken a serious toll on my body — especially my heart. Recently, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 CLL, and my doctors have told me this will be an uphill battle. I have started chemotherapy once again and have been placed on a trial medication in hopes that it will be more effective.
In addition to the cancer, last October my legs suddenly stopped working properly. After extensive testing and multiple hospital stays, doctors discovered I have permanent nerve and leg damage caused by side effects from previous chemotherapy treatments. Some days my legs cooperate, and some days they do not. Despite everything, I have continued working at Aldi here in town, where I have worked for almost six years. But physically, it is becoming harder and harder to continue. As the sole provider for my children after losing their father nine years ago, I have always done everything I could to keep going no matter how difficult things became. My children have already experienced so much loss, and I refuse to stop fighting for them.
Now, I am facing a heartbreaking reality: in order to give my body the best chance to survive this fight, I need to work less and focus on treatment and healing. Unfortunately, financially, I simply cannot do it alone. My doctors are recommending that I travel to the Mayo Clinic in Florida this June for access to a promising trial drug treatment that may help save my life. I need to make a decision soon, but right now, I cannot afford the travel expenses, medical costs, lodging, or the lost income that comes with taking time away from work.
I have never been comfortable asking for help, especially knowing so many others are struggling too. But today, I am humbly asking for support for myself and my children. Any donation — no matter the amount — will help ease the financial burden and allow me to focus on what matters most: fighting this disease and being here for my kids. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping our family in your prayers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, support, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time.
I was first diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) when I was just 23 years old. For more than two decades, I have endured countless treatments, chemotherapy, hospitalizations, and setbacks. While I have continued to push forward, the years of treatment have taken a serious toll on my body — especially my heart. Recently, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 CLL, and my doctors have told me this will be an uphill battle. I have started chemotherapy once again and have been placed on a trial medication in hopes that it will be more effective.
In addition to the cancer, last October my legs suddenly stopped working properly. After extensive testing and multiple hospital stays, doctors discovered I have permanent nerve and leg damage caused by side effects from previous chemotherapy treatments. Some days my legs cooperate, and some days they do not. Despite everything, I have continued working at Aldi here in town, where I have worked for almost six years. But physically, it is becoming harder and harder to continue. As the sole provider for my children after losing their father nine years ago, I have always done everything I could to keep going no matter how difficult things became. My children have already experienced so much loss, and I refuse to stop fighting for them.
Now, I am facing a heartbreaking reality: in order to give my body the best chance to survive this fight, I need to work less and focus on treatment and healing. Unfortunately, financially, I simply cannot do it alone. My doctors are recommending that I travel to the Mayo Clinic in Florida this June for access to a promising trial drug treatment that may help save my life. I need to make a decision soon, but right now, I cannot afford the travel expenses, medical costs, lodging, or the lost income that comes with taking time away from work.
I have never been comfortable asking for help, especially knowing so many others are struggling too. But today, I am humbly asking for support for myself and my children. Any donation — no matter the amount — will help ease the financial burden and allow me to focus on what matters most: fighting this disease and being here for my kids. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping our family in your prayers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, support, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time.