Dear community, friends, and family:

We are organizing this fund to support our beloved friend Katea Stitt, who experienced a series of hospitalizations and surgeries in May and June. She is recovering, but the healing journey may take her another few months. She has been getting support with driving and shopping, but is in need of some financial support as well. Katea is someone who always steps up to help a friend in need, and we know her community will be there to support her.

On May 28, she slipped and broke her ankle which needed reparative surgery on June 2nd. She needed two plates put in her leg to support the bone, and will be non-weight bearing for at least 8 weeks, perhaps longer. She went home from the hospital two days after that surgery, only to return to the hospital a day later with terrible stomach pain and fever. She needed emergency gallbladder surgery the following Wednesday, June 9th.

Medical bills are coming in and physical therapy is a necessity twice a week for at least 14 weeks. Her insurance will not provide 100% coverage of these exorbitant yet necessary expenses that include hospitalization, PT therapy, and rental of medical equipment such as a wheelchair and knee scooter. Katea is unable to drive and relies on family and friends or other ride services. She has been put on a juice diet (recommended by her doctor) which also adds up. With all of these expenses, she is struggling to keep up with the mundane expenses of everyday life and paying bills.

We hope that you are inspired to pitch in and help our dear friend and sister Katea, who gives so much to her community, and to our world.

With Love and Gratitude,

Dawn, Irene & Christen