Katie is 33 years old. She is married to Tanner, the love of her life, and is the mother of five children - ranging from 13 years to just 3 months old. Less than three weeks ago, their world was turned upside down when Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma, which has spread to multiple parts of her body, including her brain.

Katie is currently in the fight of her life. She and her family need help - not just to cover the staggering cost of medical treatment, but to keep their family afloat while every ounce of energy is focused on one thing: saving Katie’s life. We are asking for help so this young family can focus on healing, not financial survival.

If you are able to donate or share this fundraiser, you are helping to give Katie the best possible chance to be here for her children - for birthdays, first days of school, graduations, and all the moments still ahead.

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My name is Noelle, and although I’ve contributed to a number of worthy causes on GoFundMe and other crowdfunding sites, I never expected or wanted to find myself writing one of these requests for help. However, there comes a point when all you can do is turn to your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and even people you’ve never met, to ask for their support. Katie and Tanner are, unfortunately, at that point. I’m honored to be one of their friends to whom they’ve turned in a time of great need, and hope my words will help paint a picture of this incredible family and the very real, urgent need they are facing — one they cannot meet alone.

Who Katie Is

Katie is the kind of person who was simply meant to be a mom. In addition to working full-time as a global benefits and payroll leader, she is deeply involved in every aspect of her children’s lives - school activities, sports, doctor’s appointments, playdates, and bedtime cuddles. She is the mom who never misses a game, remembers every appointment, and somehow makes five kids feel individually seen. She and Tanner have built a beautiful, busy life centered around their kids.

After welcoming four sons together (and blending their family with Tanner’s two older children), Katie and Tanner were overjoyed to learn they were expecting a baby girl. After heartbreak from a miscarriage in late 2024, that joy finally became reality when their daughter, Lainey, was born on December 23, 2025.

What should have been a season of healing and celebration quickly became something no one could have imagined.

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What Happened

In early March, just days before Katie was expected to return from maternity leave, she became seriously ill - suffering from severe headaches, nausea, exhaustion, and swelling. A trip to the emergency room turned into every family’s worst nightmare.

Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma that had already spread to her brain, lungs, ovaries, breast, and other areas. The brain tumor was immediately life-threatening and required urgent surgery.

On March 19th, Katie underwent major brain surgery—her first surgery of any kind. Against overwhelming odds, the surgeon was able to remove the tumor completely. It was a critical early win in what will be a long and grueling battle.

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Where Things Stand Now

Katie is currently recovering from brain surgery and is expected to move to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for several weeks. Once her body is strong enough, she will begin aggressive treatment—likely a combination of immunotherapy and targeted radiation.

This is not a short road. It is not an easy one. And it is incredibly expensive.

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Why They Need Help

Tanner has taken unpaid FMLA leave to be by Katie’s side around the clock. Their newborn and other children are unable to be with Katie in the hospital, and family members have stepped in to care for them during this unimaginable time.

Even with insurance, the costs are staggering:

• Medications alone are estimated at $30,000 per month;

• Hospital stays, surgery, rehab, radiation, and ongoing care continue to add up; and

• The family is currently relying on partial short-term disability income.

Every dollar raised will go directly to Katie and Tanner to help cover:

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance;

• Living expenses while income is reduced; and

• Childcare, transportation, and other essentials during treatment.

Our fundraising goal is only a starting point. Unfortunately, it will not come close to covering the full financial impact of the months ahead.

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How You Can Help

• Donate any amount you are able—every contribution truly matters!

• Share this fundraiser so it reaches as many people as possible.

• Keep Katie in your thoughts, prayers, or intentions as she fights with everything she has!

With Katie and Tanner’s blessing, updates will be shared here as her treatment progresses.

If you’ve taken the time to read Katie’s story, thank you — your compassion and willingness to help this family during the hardest fight of their lives mean more than we can put into words.