Dear Friends and Community,

Troy Christian here (Troy Christian Edmiston). My younger sister Kate Edmiston was recently diagnosed with Stage Two urothelial cancer. I am creating this fund in an effort to raise money that will assist in covering Kate's medical and living expenses for the next few months as (due to chemotherapy and multiple surgeries) she will be completely unable to continue working her craft as a certified massage therapist. I also hope this assistance will help alleviate any additional and potentially debilitating stress while she recovers her health and before she can return to her clients, her passion, and her livelihood.

In January, Kate had UTI symptoms that didn’t go away with antibiotics. A renal ultrasound revealed two masses—one in the ureter and one in her bladder—and found that her right kidney wasn’t functioning due to a blockage from one of the masses. She was sent to a urologist who determined it was cancer and that she needed surgery right away to remove the two masses. The urologist found more cancer in the ureter and near the bladder wall and wasn’t able to remove all of it with this surgery. The masses were sent to UCSF and she then met with an oncology surgeon, who determined that her ureter, a small portion of her bladder and right kidney would need to be removed completely, and that she should undergo chemotherapy before that operation - currently scheduled for September. To complicate matters further, Kate learned that the home she had been renting for many years was being sold and that she would have to move out immediately (fortunately, she has now found another place to live).

Thankfully, Kate’s prognosis is good. More scans have revealed no metastasis outside the ureter or bladder. She has had a lot of support from family and friends (pitching in financially, helping to drive her to and from appointments, shopping, bringing in food and so on). But as you may imagine, her medical expenses are piling up quickly. Her copays haved reached $10,000 already. The costs of the upcoming surgery, including recovery time, will be much higher. Kate is doing her best to work part-time while receiving treatments, but it’s taking a toll on her both physically and mentally. Chemotherapy is seriously no joke.

I am asking for help in covering Kate’s ballooning medical expenses - including copayments for her surgery and treatments, prescriptions, vitamin supplements, acupuncture, and lost earnings. We are currently estimating that Kate’s expenses from this illness will exceed $48,000. Therefore, any amount you can contribute will be helpful and so very much appreciated. We can't overstate how much your generosity and support would mean to our family at this difficult time. We would also very much appreciate it if you might forward this crowdfunding effort to your family and friends, where appropriate, along with any words of support about Kate and her current journey. Perhaps including what that might have meant to you to have contributed to helping with her recovery. I know Kate will be forever grateful, as will I.

Thank you all so very much.

Troy