In November 2024, Cathy had a biopsy that led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. After meeting with oncologists and surgeons, they decided that a bilateral mastectomy would be the best option and then would know if she needed chemo before having reconstruction. Cathy is an RN and works in women’s health. She has spent the last 10 years working in healthcare, taking care of others, rarely putting herself first. Her husband, Mike, is medically retired from the Army and only gets minimal income from the VA. He volunteers coaching baseball for their 9-year-old son. Cathy had applied for short-term disability while she is out of work, but because the diagnosis was in November and her policy started Jan 01, they are denying her the partial income while she is out. She has help from her parents, but they have already done so much, she hates to ask for more. TriCare only covers 80% of costs, and she is told she will have the bilateral mastectomy, possibly chemo after, and then in 4-6 months reconstruction.

We would love to help her not have to worry about the bills, food costs for her family, as she has 2 sons, age 17 and 9. We are hoping to raise funds equivalent to her salary for the time she will be out, and if possible, a bit more, so her family can spend more time healing than they do worried about bills.