My girlfriend, Chef Kate Milashus, is one of the kindest, loving, funny and compassionate people and friend to many. Kate recently celebrated her 49th Birthday on July 8.

Kate needs your help.

On September 14, 2022, Kate was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a terminal, insidious neurodegenerative disease with no cure. It affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses and motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to control muscle movement is lost. ALS patients may lose the ability to speak, eat, move, and breathe.

Kate has been courageously battling ALS for nearly two years now. Throughout this time, Kate has chosen to focus on the positives and hasn't mentioned her fight on Facebook or other social media. Many of Kate’s friends know about her diagnosis and have provided emotional support and laughter along the way.

Kate grew up in Cicero and Berwyn and graduated from Morton East High school in 1993. After putting herself through Culinary School, Chef Kate became one of THE best pastry chefs in Chicago. (Kate is so modest that she hates when that is mentioned, but it is true). As a result of ALS, Kate’s career as a pastry chef has been cut short. By February of 2023, the physical demands of a professional kitchen were clearly beyond Kate’s abilities.

Kate's condition has rapidly progressed, and she is now unable to use her arms, hands, and legs, relying on a wheelchair for mobility. As someone who worked with her hands every day to craft delicious and beautiful treats, this has been a difficult transition both physically and emotionally. Everyone who knows Kate is in awe of her continued positive attitude during this challenging time.

We've gotten to the point where we just can't do it alone and every dollar collected in this GoFundMe will be used to contribute to the staggering costs of in-home personal and nursing care, mobility and communication equipment, and other significant out of pocket medical costs.

With your help, Chef Kate will continue to smile, make others laugh, and fight ALS.