Join the Fight for Katie

My sister Katie is only 11 months younger than me. She was born on January 28, 1980, and I was born on February 15, 1979. Growing up, we were basically like twins. We shared the same childhood, the same memories, and a bond that only sisters so close in age can understand.

Over the past year, life has thrown challenges at her that no one should have to face.

Katie was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At first we hoped it had been caught early and that treatment would be straightforward.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.

Doctors later discovered cancer in another part of her thyroid, and in December of 2025 she had to undergo surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid along with lymph nodes. It was a frightening and overwhelming time for our family.

What makes Katie’s story even more incredible is what she accomplished during that same time.

In that very same month, while recovering from surgery and facing the fear and uncertainty that comes with cancer, Katie also graduated from nursing school — something she had worked tirelessly toward for years.

She did all of this while raising six children, largely on her own.

After everything she had pushed through, it finally felt like she was beginning to get back on her feet and step into the future she had worked so hard for.

Then another devastating turn came.

At the beginning of February, Katie found a lump in her breast.

After the tests and appointments that no one ever wants to go through, she received the heartbreaking news that it was breast cancer.

Hearing the word cancer again so soon after everything she had already endured was devastating. Just as she was trying to move forward and rebuild her life after thyroid cancer and celebrate graduating nursing school, she was suddenly facing another fight.

Katie is a mother, a sister, and someone who has always cared deeply for others. Becoming a nurse was her dream because helping people is simply who she is. Now she is the one who needs support.

She will soon begin the difficult road of treatment. Cancer treatments bring overwhelming emotional, physical, and financial strain — medical appointments, treatments, medications, travel, and everyday living expenses.

Our family and community are coming together to support her during this incredibly difficult time. We are organizing a community benefit to help raise funds and show Katie that she is not fighting this battle alone.

This GoFundMe is for anyone who wants to help support Katie but may not be able to attend the benefit in person.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward helping Katie through treatment and easing the financial burden so she can focus on what matters most — healing and beating this cancer.

If you are unable to donate, simply sharing this page would mean the world to our family.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting Katie and standing beside her in this fight.

Together, we can help Katie beat cancer.

Join Us in the Fight for Katie

Benefit details coming soon.