<div>Katie has now been home for about three and a half weeks, and the transition has been anything but easy. Her burn has been very difficult to manage, but we are grateful that the skin graft surgery she had last Friday appears to have been successful. Even with this hopeful step, her recovery remains a long road. She still will not be able to put any weight on her left leg until at least the 27th, and even then, it will be a slow and carefully monitored process.
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<div>Tomorrow will mark seven weeks since Gavin passed, and the weight of that reality is with her every day. Katie is living in the home she and Gavin bought together and were so excited to make their own. The days are long, the nights are lonely, and the silence without him is heavy. She is deeply buoyed by the friends and family who come to visit, sit with her, and help carry some of that heartbreak—but every day is still a battle, both physically and emotionally.
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<div>It’s hard to believe that it has been one month since the accident that changed Katie’s life forever. She has now been home for a week, and while we’re grateful she’s out of the hospital and rehab center, her recovery is still very intensive. Katie continues to receive in-home care for her burn, which will hopefully be ready for a skin graft soon. Because of the size of the area, this procedure will take several weeks to heal. She also has in-home physical therapy to help her begin walking more independently.
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<div>Recently, Katie was able to place a small memorial marker at the accident site. It was an incredibly emotional moment, but also a meaningful way for her and our family to honor Gavin and the love they shared.
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<div>Christmas without Gavin was incredibly difficult. This was supposed to be their first Christmas together in their home, and instead, we felt his absence in every quiet moment. As a family, we tried to center the day around the babies—Gavin’s sweet nieces—holding onto their joy and laughter as a way to honor the light he brought into all of our lives.
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<div>We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to help—through donations, meals, visits, messages, and prayers. Your support has made it possible for Katie to focus on healing, both physically and emotionally, during an unimaginable time. We are deeply grateful for every act of kindness, and we ask that you please continue to share this GoFundMe so her story and her needs can reach others who may be able to help.
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<div>After some complications with her surgery, Katie was readmitted to the hospital last night. She will be scheduled for a skin graft after she is discharged and receives additional medical equipment to take home to allow her burn to heal enough to receive the graft.
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<div>We wanted to share a quick update on Katie’s journey. She is scheduled for one more surgery this Thursday, which we are praying will be the last procedure she needs for awhile. After that, if all goes as hoped, Katie should be able to leave the rehabilitation center and finally go home soon.
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<div>Going home, however, is just the beginning of a new phase of recovery. Katie will still require in-home care, as well as special equipment and devices to help her move safely, manage daily tasks, and continue her physical progress outside of the hospital setting. The emotional and financial weight of this season remains very heavy.
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<div>We are deeply grateful for every donation, every message, every prayer, every meal, and every act of love you’ve shown Katie and our family. Your support has carried her through some of the darkest moments of her life.
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<div>If you’re able, please continue to share this GoFundMe so her story and her needs can reach others who may be in a position to help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking alongside Katie as she fights to heal and rebuild her life.
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<div>Update
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<div>As many of you know, in the midst of her own unbearable pain, Katie recently had to do the unimaginable and lay her young husband, Gavin, to rest. Even through her deepest grief, she showed a quiet, steady strength—making sure others were hugged, checked on, and comforted, even as her own heart was breaking.
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<div>Physically, Katie is making progress, but the road ahead is still very long. Right now, she can stand and pivot-walk on one leg with a hemi-walker. She’s learning how to do basic things again—like putting on pants using a reacher claw instead of bending or standing on both feet. She will be in the rehabilitation center for 10 more days, and when she does come home, she will still need special equipment, devices, and ongoing therapy to help her continue healing.
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<div>We know this request comes during the holidays—a time when finances are often stretched thin for many families. Please know we truly understand that. At the same time, this season carries an extra layer of heartbreak for Katie. This was supposed to be their first Christmas together in their new home, and instead she is facing it without Gavin, while working every day just to stand and move again.
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<div>The reality is that the coming months will bring significant financial strain—between continued medical care, rehab, adaptive equipment, and everyday living expenses as she tries to rebuild her life without Gavin by her side.
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<div>If you are able to give, please know that every single donation—no matter the amount—goes directly toward helping Katie have what she needs to heal physically while she carries this enormous emotional loss. If you’re not able to donate, sharing this GoFundMe truly helps more than you know.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the love, prayers, messages, meals, visits, and support you’ve already given. Your generosity has held Katie up in her darkest days, and we are deeply, deeply grateful.
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<div>Thank you again for all of the love and support you have offered to Katie. The messages she has seen along with the Venmo’s and Go Fund Me donations have help to offer her comfort and strength as she continues to push forward. Today(Dec 9th) will be Gavin’s Celebration of Life services. Thank you all again for helping during this heartbreaking and challenging time.
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<div>Thank you so much for this outpouring of love and support for Katie! We feel incredibly blessed seeing the football community come together and show their kindness. Katie has a long road of recovery still ahead of her. She will remain in the rehabilitation facility for the next few weeks. This will be followed by a couple of months of no weight bearing in her left leg at home and continued physical therapy.
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<div>Thank you again for all of your support. We will continue to keep you updated as Katie continues to navigate her new life.
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<div>This last week Gavin has strengthened Katie just as he did while he was here. Katie has been fighting to heal her body so that she can begin the unthinkable journey of healing her heart and soul. Throughout this fight Katie has expressed “I can do this for Gavin” and “I have Gavin on my side.”
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<div>Yesterday (Dec 3) Katie was transferred to her health rehabilitation facility. This will give Katie the opportunity to be transported to say goodbye to her “cute” and “perfect” husband.
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<div>We are so appreciative of all of the love and support that Katie has already received financially, emotionally and socially. To help Katie to continue healing and find peace in this difficult time we ask that you please share their story or if you are able please consider donating.
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<div>We love you all and will continue to share Katie’s journey.
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<div>Katie is working hard with her physical therapy so she can be put into a wheel chair so she can attend Gavin’s funeral. She is also officially out of the ICU! Thank you all for your continued prayers and assistance! Please consider donating or sharing their story!
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<div>Update:
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<div>Katie’s Broken femur was fixed with surgery last night (26th)
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<div>Today a broken humerus was found and will be operated on tomorrow (28th)
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<div>Her C2 MRI was completed today and surgery is probable
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<div>She has several fractured ribs, a fractured scapula, bruised lungs, burns and lacerations.
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<div>Once her time in the ICU and hospital are complete she will be transferred to a recovery facility for several weeks.
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<div>With this new information we have raised the fundraising goal to help reflect the exhaustive expenses of her facility stay and medical bills.
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<div>My sister Katie Cornia was in a car crash on November 26, 2025. She lost her loving husband, Gavin Cornia, in the crash and is currently in the ICU.
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<div>We are raising money to cover her medical expenses which currently include, work to repair her femur, a C2 fracture, broken ribs and bruised lungs. The funds will also go toward funeral and life expenses as Katie grieves and recovers.
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<div>I will be keeping this page updated as more information comes.
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<div>Please if you can either donate here or venmo me @BritneyE-Petersen
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<div>Katie and Gavin are the most loving and generous people you could ever meet. They had plans for their future and were just starting to build their dream life together. The road ahead is going to be challenging for Katie and we appreciate everyone’s love and generosity as she goes forward.
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Help Katie Recover and Honor Gavin's Memory

Help Katie Recover and Honor Gavin's Memory

Still $11,576 to go. Help us build momentum.