Let's Help Katie!
Donation protected
For the last few months, our friend Katie Vitanza–Lewis has been plagued by a terrible infection in her hand that became so horrible, the infection had gone to the bone of her thumb. She required surgery to try to halt the infection and save her thumb. After the surgery, Katie's surgeon told her that had they waited just one more week, that thumb would have been a goner.
We all need our thumbs, but as a mobile groomer for pets, Katie really needs her thumbs in top working condition. She will be out of work for 6 weeks while she continues to fight the infection with IV antibiotics through a PICC line in her arm.
Katie has been a groomer for The Groomery for over 10 years. Always a hard-working and diligent person, she became even more so after the birth of her beautiful, young son, Adrian. Adrian is almost 4 years old now. As a single mom, Katie works non–stop to provide for him. She often works 6–7 days a week, long hard days, 10–14 hours per day.
Many of you may know that as an employee in a service/commision based industry if you aren't working, you have NO income. Katie has already missed 2 weeks of work and as a single mom, those 2 weeks of income (solely from commission & tips ) were precious to Katie and Adrian. She has at least 4 more weeks to go. That means no commissions or tips for their rent/utilities, food, medication, medical bills, as well as the many resources it takes to raise a young son. The list is a long one.
The IV medication Katie needs to keep fighting the infection costs several hundreds of dollars each week – out of pocket – while keeping a roof over the heads of she and Adrian is a top priority. It's all very frightening and stressful when, through no fault of your own, you can't provide for yourself and your child. On top of all of this, Katie had a very bad reaction to her first round of IV antibiotics, “CDAD”, which can be fatal. It was a very tough time while the doctors worked hard to stabilize her. She’s on a new IV antibiotic now that seems to have her on the right path.
As friends of Katie's, we appeal to you to help her through this trying time as she recovers from her surgery and the infection that almost took her thumb. Katie can't wait to be able to get back to work – ASAP. She’s very concerned about her clients and hates to keep all the doggies and kitties waiting, so she’s been trying to convince her doctors to allow an early return. Katie hopes to be back at the end of June, however, first she must recover and heal so that this horrible infection will be gone once and for all.
Thank you for taking the time to read Katie's story. Any amount you are able to donate to help she and Adrian will be greatly appreciated!
We all need our thumbs, but as a mobile groomer for pets, Katie really needs her thumbs in top working condition. She will be out of work for 6 weeks while she continues to fight the infection with IV antibiotics through a PICC line in her arm.
Katie has been a groomer for The Groomery for over 10 years. Always a hard-working and diligent person, she became even more so after the birth of her beautiful, young son, Adrian. Adrian is almost 4 years old now. As a single mom, Katie works non–stop to provide for him. She often works 6–7 days a week, long hard days, 10–14 hours per day.
Many of you may know that as an employee in a service/commision based industry if you aren't working, you have NO income. Katie has already missed 2 weeks of work and as a single mom, those 2 weeks of income (solely from commission & tips ) were precious to Katie and Adrian. She has at least 4 more weeks to go. That means no commissions or tips for their rent/utilities, food, medication, medical bills, as well as the many resources it takes to raise a young son. The list is a long one.
The IV medication Katie needs to keep fighting the infection costs several hundreds of dollars each week – out of pocket – while keeping a roof over the heads of she and Adrian is a top priority. It's all very frightening and stressful when, through no fault of your own, you can't provide for yourself and your child. On top of all of this, Katie had a very bad reaction to her first round of IV antibiotics, “CDAD”, which can be fatal. It was a very tough time while the doctors worked hard to stabilize her. She’s on a new IV antibiotic now that seems to have her on the right path.
As friends of Katie's, we appeal to you to help her through this trying time as she recovers from her surgery and the infection that almost took her thumb. Katie can't wait to be able to get back to work – ASAP. She’s very concerned about her clients and hates to keep all the doggies and kitties waiting, so she’s been trying to convince her doctors to allow an early return. Katie hopes to be back at the end of June, however, first she must recover and heal so that this horrible infection will be gone once and for all.
Thank you for taking the time to read Katie's story. Any amount you are able to donate to help she and Adrian will be greatly appreciated!
Co-organizers (3)
Tami Bowman Kiley
Organizer
Redland, MD
Katie Vitanza
Beneficiary
Briana Ayala
Co-organizer