A BIKE TO SAVE A LIFE for Katie Bushnell fund.
Last weekend, there was a bicycle stolen from a bike rack at the OAK CREEK APARTMENT COMPLEX in Petaluma (see police card w/ report # for stolen bike). Katie, the bike’s owner, wrote the community through the Next Door App, asking for help in locating it. She explained that she was desperate to get it back because she relied on her bike as back up transportation to and from her medical appointments. Katie revealed that she is battling Stage IV Breast Cancer, which has metastasized (spread) to her liver and bones (see letter from Katies Doctor). And, due to her exorbitant medical expenses/costs related to her condition, Katie cannot afford to replace her bike at this time.
After posting this, Katie was generously offered a few bikes from kind folks, and followed up with each one. Unfortunately their bikes will not work, as Katie needs a bike with certain specifications, otherwise it is painful for her to ride. Katie is only 4’ 10” so she needs a small, lightweight bicycle to fit her stature; and due to her spinal tumors, Katie must sit upright. Her stolen Bianci Bicycle had all of these features, so she is looking for something comparable (see pic of her Bianchi Bicycle).
When I caught wind of Katies dyer situation, I and several others encouraged her to start a GoFundMe hoping that we, as a community, could collectively right some of the wrong that has been done, and get her another Bicycle that will suit her needs. I have since had the pleasure of speaking at length with Katie, and learned that she is wonderful, spunky, keeps a positive outlook in life, and has lots of grit and will to thrive. She is determined to live a full, quality life, making the most of her time, while remaining realistic about her diagnosis. She has accepted and manages her health condition HER way, and has a natural desire to give back and teach others the ins-and-outs of managing such an overshadowing diagnosis.
Before her bike was stolen, Katie did not have much experience with the Next Door App. She was fraught over the loss of her bike because it is critical to her survival, so that is why she turned to the community app for help in locating it. While her bike has still not been located, Katie was truly moved by the caring response she received. She said, “at a moment when I was feeling all alone and like no one cared, I was truly shocked and humbled to see so much love and kind words pouring in from total strangers.”
I have come to find that Katie is quite an extraordinary woman. Something that stands out for me is her boundless humility. She wasn’t asking for help with medical expenses, a vehicle, or even a replacement bike. She was simply pleading for her bike back, and hoping the community would keep an eye out for the bike that was stolen from her. Further, Katie feels no malice toward the individual(s) that took the bike and does not want them punished, she just asked them to “return it ASAP, No Questions Asked.” She said, “these are tough times and so many of us are having a hard time making ends meet right now, so I understand why this may have happened.” I don’t know that I could find such grace if my bike was stolen.
Going through the process of helping Katie has opened my eyes to the layers of hurdles that comes along with managing such a Severe Diagnosis (see the article, which I posted in the “Update” section of this Gofundme, that was recently written about Katie in ‘Cancer Today’ Magazine, illustrating some of those issues). I was surprised to learn all that Katie is trying to juggle, while trying to stay well enough to prolong her life. So, if she received funds beyond the cost of a bike, she would use them for the myriad of expenses that have arisen as a result of her medical condition. Beyond a bike, Katie could use help with paying for: extraordinary medical bills, rent, groceries, care for her sweet furry kitty pal/ESA (Emotional Support Animal), and rides to and from medical appts (as more intense, medical procedures render Katie unable to drive or ride a bike to get home afterward). Personally, I would love to see the GoFundMe gain enough to provide Katie with a modest, reliable vehicle, because I can’t imagine riding my bike around town in the dead of winter, to get to critical medical appointments AT ALL, much less with her condition.
Here are two examples of what Katie is currently facing (and things I would not have realized until speaking with her):
Katie is grateful to receive limited use of a friend's vehicle. But she needs to bike when she is unable to use the car, as it is a 15 year old (2006) Cayenne SUV with extensive electrical and “older vehicle” problems: the alarm goes off each time she starts it (which is loud, annoys the neighbors, and is embarrassing), dashboard features do not work, it guzzles gas (it costs $90 to fill the gas tank), it needs brakes, an alignment and a tune up among other things. Basically it has more problems than it is worth to fix. Lastly, at 4’10” Katie struggles to see over the dash when driving such a big vehicle (see pic of Katie on the left, next to her average height friends that tower above her). Due to its many issues and high cost, it is often less of a hassle and more affordable for her to just bike to appointments. Of course, Katie is open if someone was willing to donate a smaller, more efficient vehicle.
Katie applied for and was given a grant from Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, an organization that provides physical and emotional support therapies to Cancer Patients, to help them relieve and manage their symptoms (See Pic about Maple Tree Cancer Alliance). The grant allows her free access to a pool in Novato to swim laps, and attend a weekly aqua therapy class. Katie is quite grateful for this grant: the water and weightlessness feels great, relieves the pressure off her spine, and allows her to stretch and move freely. However, she is unable to get there more than once or twice a week due to the high gas expense. So, one of the first things Katie would like do with any additional funds is get to the pool regularly, in order to better manage her pain.
Before stumbling across her simple plea to get her stolen bike back (on the Nextdoor App), Katie was a stranger to me. But after learning of her conundrum, I was inspired to do what I could to help her get the bike she so desperately needs to ultimately save her life. Before the pandemic hit, I was a music teacher (and did other gigs in the service industry). I adored my work, my favorite parts were helping people to feel on top of the world and watching students grow and expand their minds literally before my very eyes (there’s nothing else like it, I tell you). But, my job was Obliterated on the first day of the lockdown. I have pretty bad asthma and would not likely fare well with a Covid lung infection, and as a single mother I cannot take the risk of working with the public at this time. So, I know what it means to struggle; I understand how public transportation is not an option for Katie, as the increased direct exposure in an enclosed space can mean a matter of life and death for someone managing such a gargantuan of a health condition; and I know how showing a little compassion can be the difference that makes or breaks someone who is hanging on by a thread. I also know there are others, especially those who resonate with Katie because they know how hard it is to stay afloat when life deals you a ‘bad hand’, who are aching to do their part to help turn this tragedy into a blessing for this most deserving soul, especially during the season of giving.
I also believe in the power of community to move mountains. While we may not be able to resolve the myriad of deep-seated problems that is festering around our nation and world today, we can start in our “own backyard” and solve the problem of replacing a simple bike that can literally help save the life of our valued community member. We all know that Cancer discriminates against no one, and can strike any one of us- at any time. Helping is what we would want others to do if we were in her predicament. So, lets turn this tragedy into a blessing for this lovely lady!
If you have questions, other donations, or resources, feel free to contact the organizer directly. Thank you for reading this and for even considering supporting Katie. Please share the GoFundMe link with Facebook friends or anyone you think may be willing to support her. Anything helps.
Both Katie and I are wishing you and your family a Safe and Jolly Holiday Season!
“Out of Muddy Waters, the Beautiful Lotus Flower Grows.” -Buddha
Respectfully Submitted,
Kecia Kaiser, Stranger...Turned Friend
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Police card w/ case number for stolen bike
Health Ststus letter from Katie’s Doctor
Katie’s Stolen Bianchi Bicycle
Services that Maple Tree Cancer Alliance provides 
Katie (on the left) next to her Average Height friends
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