Help Save Konner from MLD

June 4, 2024

Update from Kyler, Kaitlyn, & Konner

Words cannot express how thankful and grateful we are for everyone who has stepped in and supported our family over the past 7 weeks. Thank you for all of your prayers, and for your generous donations to help save Konner. We have traveled thousands of miles to meet with doctors who specialize in MLD. Your prayers and financial contributions, no matter the size, have made a significant impact on our journey and have provided us with the strength to continue fighting for Konner's health.

We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness from our friends and family, and even strangers who have come together to support Konner’s fight. Thank you for rallying behind our family to help Konner. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity.

We will keep you updated on Konner’s progress…please continue to pray for a miracle.

Kyler, Kaitlyn, and Konner

May22, 2024

Update on little Konner and his family:

Konner was diagnosed 37 days ago. 37 days ago Kaitlyn and Kyler’s world was turned upside down. Things that seemed important before, seem irrelevant now. What matters most is even more apparent. Within the past 37 days, they have traveled to multiple hospitals and have learned so much about MLD, a disease they previously had never heard of. They have been on a journey, praying for the best treatment options and are willing to pursue the option that will offer Konner the most hope.

While their options are more clear to them now, their final decision has not been made. We need you to join us in prayer as we pray for the right doors to open. We need things to move quickly before the MLD progresses any further and we need insurance to make the appropriate approvals. Meanwhile, as things are moving behind the scenes and Kyler and Kaitlyn pray over their options, they have opted to move forward with a necessary surgery for Konner. Unfortunately, Konner’s gall bladder does not look good at all. This is common in children with MLD. The decision was made to go ahead and have the surgery to remove the Gall bladder as well as have a G tube placed as these are needed before both treatment options.

Kyler, Kaitlyn and Konner have traveled back up to Duke and have arrived today (5/22). Konner will be having surgery tomorrow morning (5/23). Please pray for him.

This marathon is far from over. Kyler and Kaitlyn are both currently on leave from work. They have no choice but to focus on Konner during this critical time. On top of the heaviness of making all of these decisions, they are having to make many regular life decisions as well. While trauma can make time feel as though it stopped for a moment, the bills will continue to come.

Please pray for Konner and consider supporting this sweet young family on a mission to save their son’s life while offering him the best quality of life possible.

April 17, 2024:

Please help our dear friends, the Kathman Family save their son, Konner. On Monday, April 15, Konner was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy MLD with a prognosis of living for only a couple of years. The only hope for Konner is a new gene therapy called Lenmeldy. In order to get this drug, you have to be eligible or get it under compassionate use. The cost is $4.25 million. As a parent there is no cost too high – they are willing to cross any hurdle and do whatever it takes, but they need us behind them.

Beyond the cost of the treatment, expenses are already mounting. They will have travel expenses, insurance deductibles, time off of work, etc. Please join us in helping them with any amount you can – no gift is too small. Think of what a help we can be if we all give what we can.

This is news that no parent should ever have to face! Kyler and Kaitlyn have been on a journey to help find answers over the last year for their son, Konner, as he has been struggling to walk. After many tests and scans and full exome sequencing, the results are heartbreaking.

Thankfully they wasted no time narrowing down their options. They are heading to CHOP in Pennsylvania today (4/17) and Konner will be seen on Thursday morning for a full analysis. We are praying hard that Konner will be approved for Lenmeldy!

Kyler and Kaitlyn know that Konner’s journey is not over yet – and they are trusting God and believing there is nothing He cannot do! Psalm 23:1-6

We appreciate your love, support, and prayers! Thank you so much for joining Konner and his family in his battle - what a blessing to know that little Konner is not fighting alone!

With gratitude,

Sarah Stephens and Jamie Franzini

Venmo if preferred: @kyler-kathman