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If you know Kathryn, you know her to be the kind-hearted, compassionate, and full-of-life kind of person that she is. If you know Kathryn, you may also know she is not one to ask for help, but she needs it right now, perhaps more than ever. Kathryn has impacted our lives for the better in one way or another, and now is the time for all of us to send some positivity back to her. My name is Harrison, I am Kathryn’s younger brother, and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Kathryn, her husband Matt, and my family.
In December 2020, Kathryn visited her doctor to be tested for the BRCA1 gene, otherwise colloquially referred to as the “breast cancer gene.” While it is rare that a mutation occurs in the BRCA1 gene, this gene is feared for its reputation to dramatically increase the chances of breast cancer when a mutation does occur. Additionally, mutations in the BRCA1 gene are often hereditary, and the women in our family have been particularly afflicted by this gene from generation to generation. On that visit to the doctor that day, Kathryn learned that she, in fact, was the next woman in the family to have a mutated form of the BRCA1 gene.
With this information, the next step was to have an MRI. The MRI was supposed to be a routine, baseline test so that doctors would have a healthy baseline screening to compare to in the event that Kathryn did develop cancer some day. What happened next was what no one expected. Within hours of the MRI, doctors were calling to tell Kathryn that she would need to come back in for a closer look; they had found a “highly concerning” development from the MRI results. After several mammogram screenings, an ultrasound, and a biopsy, the news was foreboding, and the weight it carried was written on Kathryn’s expression. As she sat there, like a deer in headlights, motionless in front of her surgeon who had just delivered the word, her mind began to race. Fearful thoughts twirled in her head. “Was he really saying I had breast cancer at 28 years old? I thought I was coming into this appointment to be proactive, to plan ahead for the next few years, to beat this horrible game that this gene likes to play on the women in my family.”
In the following week, as we waited for the pathology reports to be completed, doctors were preparing Kathryn for the worst. Based on what they had seen, they were predicting it was going to be invasive, metastatic breast cancer. The consensus was that they would need to treat it aggressively enough to stop the cancer before it spreads. In other words, the likely route of treatment would be chemotherapy and radiation. Kathryn couldn't believe this was happening. When she woke up the next morning and saw that it wasn't all just a bad dream, she started crying. Friends, family, and loved ones bonded together in prayer, and, after several days of patiently waiting, we received our answer. The oncologist called and told us, after further testing, that the cancer was not invasive and would not require chemotherapy treatment. Even the doctors, after seeing the initial results, could not believe the miraculous news. As of right now, Kathryn will not need chemotherapy, praise to God. Doctors plan to complete a double mastectomy on March 10th, send off the breast tissue for pathology testing, and proceed with their game plan. Fingers crossed and prayers up that everything goes smoothly from here on out.
In response to many requests to help out directly, I am setting up this fundraiser to assist Kathryn as medical bills accumulate. Even with good insurance coverage, the cost of Kathryn’s procedures is going to be daunting. Any monetary support you are able to contribute to alleviate the mounting medical bills would be incredibly appreciated. All gifts will go directly to Kathryn's medical fund.
I would be remiss not to mention that Kathryn and Matt are completely humbled by all the love and support they have received over the past few weeks. Kathryn is overcome with emotion hearing how many of you are praying for her. She feels the love and wants you to know that none of it is going unnoticed.
Other ways you can help:
1. Gift cards to Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash - mzelenik @ mbgnow(dot)com
2. Send Kathryn your favorite Bible verse or motivational quote - [email redacted](dot)com
3. Donate to breast cancer research in Kathryn's name: https://www.bcrf.org
Please feel free to share this message with anybody you feel would be interested in donating, thank you and God bless.
In December 2020, Kathryn visited her doctor to be tested for the BRCA1 gene, otherwise colloquially referred to as the “breast cancer gene.” While it is rare that a mutation occurs in the BRCA1 gene, this gene is feared for its reputation to dramatically increase the chances of breast cancer when a mutation does occur. Additionally, mutations in the BRCA1 gene are often hereditary, and the women in our family have been particularly afflicted by this gene from generation to generation. On that visit to the doctor that day, Kathryn learned that she, in fact, was the next woman in the family to have a mutated form of the BRCA1 gene.
With this information, the next step was to have an MRI. The MRI was supposed to be a routine, baseline test so that doctors would have a healthy baseline screening to compare to in the event that Kathryn did develop cancer some day. What happened next was what no one expected. Within hours of the MRI, doctors were calling to tell Kathryn that she would need to come back in for a closer look; they had found a “highly concerning” development from the MRI results. After several mammogram screenings, an ultrasound, and a biopsy, the news was foreboding, and the weight it carried was written on Kathryn’s expression. As she sat there, like a deer in headlights, motionless in front of her surgeon who had just delivered the word, her mind began to race. Fearful thoughts twirled in her head. “Was he really saying I had breast cancer at 28 years old? I thought I was coming into this appointment to be proactive, to plan ahead for the next few years, to beat this horrible game that this gene likes to play on the women in my family.”
In the following week, as we waited for the pathology reports to be completed, doctors were preparing Kathryn for the worst. Based on what they had seen, they were predicting it was going to be invasive, metastatic breast cancer. The consensus was that they would need to treat it aggressively enough to stop the cancer before it spreads. In other words, the likely route of treatment would be chemotherapy and radiation. Kathryn couldn't believe this was happening. When she woke up the next morning and saw that it wasn't all just a bad dream, she started crying. Friends, family, and loved ones bonded together in prayer, and, after several days of patiently waiting, we received our answer. The oncologist called and told us, after further testing, that the cancer was not invasive and would not require chemotherapy treatment. Even the doctors, after seeing the initial results, could not believe the miraculous news. As of right now, Kathryn will not need chemotherapy, praise to God. Doctors plan to complete a double mastectomy on March 10th, send off the breast tissue for pathology testing, and proceed with their game plan. Fingers crossed and prayers up that everything goes smoothly from here on out.
In response to many requests to help out directly, I am setting up this fundraiser to assist Kathryn as medical bills accumulate. Even with good insurance coverage, the cost of Kathryn’s procedures is going to be daunting. Any monetary support you are able to contribute to alleviate the mounting medical bills would be incredibly appreciated. All gifts will go directly to Kathryn's medical fund.
I would be remiss not to mention that Kathryn and Matt are completely humbled by all the love and support they have received over the past few weeks. Kathryn is overcome with emotion hearing how many of you are praying for her. She feels the love and wants you to know that none of it is going unnoticed.
Other ways you can help:
1. Gift cards to Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash - mzelenik @ mbgnow(dot)com
2. Send Kathryn your favorite Bible verse or motivational quote - [email redacted](dot)com
3. Donate to breast cancer research in Kathryn's name: https://www.bcrf.org
Please feel free to share this message with anybody you feel would be interested in donating, thank you and God bless.
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew Zelenik
Beneficiary