For those who don’t know Kato and Michelle, they have dedicated their lives and careers to serving the people of Alaska. Kato is the Fire Management Officer for Tok Forestry, and Michelle is the Admin there. They are two people who have spent their lives showing up for their community, their coworkers, firefighters, friends, and family.

Now, after an unimaginable series of events, they need us to show up for them.

Just last month, during the Mukluk Fire in Tok, Kato and Michelle lost their home and everything they owned.

While Kato was helping manage a wildfire threatening his community, he and Michelle were experiencing the kind of loss most of us cannot imagine. Their home, their belongings, and a lifetime of memories were gone.

But they kept going.

They began the overwhelming process of figuring out how to rebuild their lives and find some sense of normalcy again.

Then, just last week, Michelle lost her dad.

Before she even had time to truly process that loss and grieve her father, their world was turned upside down yet again.

Kato is now in the hospital after doctors discovered a mass that requires surgery, and he is preparing to battle cancer.

In just over a month, this family has lost their home and virtually everything they owned, Michelle has lost her father, and now she is sitting beside Kato as they prepare for surgery, treatment, recovery, and all of the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

It is almost impossible to comprehend that much loss happening to one family in such a short amount of time.

If you know Kato, you also know that asking for help probably isn’t high on his list of favorite things to do. He is usually the person helping everyone else.

He has been part of my family’s life for a very long time. He has watched my kids grow up. He’s listened to more of my b*tch sessions and mental come-aparts than I could possibly count, talked me through hard days, given my teenager pep talks before her driving test, and has also been among the first to remind me when I forgot to pick my daughter up from school, or was hours late.

Kato and Michelle aren’t just friends to many of us. They are family.

And right now, our family needs help.

This GoFundMe is being created to take as much financial stress off Kato and Michelle as possible while they face what comes next. Donations will help with medical and treatment-related expenses, travel, meals, temporary living and household expenses, lost income, rebuilding after the fire, and whatever other needs arise along the way.

They have already had to worry about how to rebuild a home and replace a lifetime of belongings. They shouldn’t have to carry that worry while also fighting cancer and grieving the loss of Michelle’s dad.

If you are able to donate, no amount is too small. If you aren’t able to contribute financially, please share this fundraiser, send them some love, and keep Kato, Michelle, and their family in your thoughts.