Giving Back to Katie

Hello!

My name is Katie Gira and Katie Mendoza is my beloved friend.

I met Katie nearly 10 years ago when our kids were in kindergarten together and we were reading moms. We have spent the past 10 years volunteering together and have become true friends.

Unfortunately, Katie has experienced a health setback. As I spoke to Kate in the hospital last night, I felt so helpless knowing how much responsibility Kate has, and how much of a challenge it is for a person like Katie to give herself the time she is going to need ahead to recuperate and recover from a hypertensive crisis and related health challenges. I am guessing these will not stop Kate from being Kate, but these new realities require that Kate slow down in a major way.

As an amazing and hard working full-time nurse who helps countless others in our communities, an absolutely committed and giving volunteer in our schools, a mom of four, wife, daughter, most everyone in our community here in Palos/Orland knows Katie as the mom who is always running into school in her scrubs to be a classroom mom helper, run a holiday party, always with her trademark organization, calm, and kindness.

Or you know Kate from happily leading a major school event like all the family dances, breakfasts with Santa, or the Palos 118 Read-a-Thon--all of which create opportunities for our schools and kids.

Surely, you see Kate running in to make every Palos South Middle School, Stagg High School, or Our Lady of the Woods basketball, football, volleyball game or cheer competition her kids are in, or volunteering her time for Stagg Athletic Booster initiatives. Perhaps one of your kids have had Kate as a catechist at Our Lady of the Woods REP.

Katie is a giver to community and family in so many special ways!

The challenge of bouncing back from this health setback while working and running a household of 7 are a reality, but thank God Katie will be okay; she just has to put Katie at the top of the list.

I am so relieved to hear Katie's outlook is good, but the burden of medical bills from a lengthy hosptial stay, time off work, costly prescription medications and more, I would love for her family and friends to give back to Kate in any way possible as she navigates her health journey. Reaching the goal of raising $10,000 will help Katie and Omar focus on Katie's health and release some of the stress associated with her healing journey.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. Together, I hope we can make a difference for Katie, just like she has made such a difference for her patients, her family, and our community.

Warmly,

Katie Gira