I am writing this on behalf of my "Aunt" Kathy. I grew up with Kathy - she is much more a friend than an aunt, because we are so close in age. 

A few short weeks ago, Kathy went into the emergency room with a debilitating headache.  Within a day, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Unfortunately, her insurance did not cover the surgery. After she was released from the hospital in Fairfield,  I drove her down to UCSF Medical Center and checked her into the emergency room. Luckily, they took her in as a patient and agreed to do the surgery.

We all hoped that the diagnosis would not be cancer.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. Kathy has stage 4 brain cancer. They did not remove the entire tumor and it is expected to grow back. She will be starting radiation and chemotherapy in a week or two and we are hoping for the best. I am so sorry to say, but it is a terminal diagnosis.

For those of you that do not know Kathy, she is 41 years old.  She has two beautiful children, Kyle and Trinity, who both have Downs Syndrome. She is their primary care giver . Kathy is the most selfless person I have ever met. 1 hour out of surgery, she was only worried about her son getting off the bus. This diagnosis is breaking her heart - not for the losses that she suffers, but for the loss that her two children and husband will suffer. Through this entire ordeal, she has kept her spirits up and she only thinks of them.

Kathy arrived home today after a week in rehabilitation. She is getting around great and her spirits are still high. She will never drive again and she will need help with childcare and getting back and forth to doctors appointments.

I am raising money to help her and her family. The medical bills will be astronomical and her husband, Bryan, will now have to reconsider his career options in order to take care of the children.  If you can find it in your heart to give a few dollars, I can guarantee it will be put to good use! Thank you for reading this and keep Kathy in your prayers.