Support Katherine's Children After Her Brave Battle

Help Support Katherine’s Children After Her Brave Battle With Cancer.

My name is Jacqueline Reed. I am starting this gofundme for my good friend, Italia Vail and her family.

Here’s the brave journey of Katherine Alvelo—a woman whose strength and love have touched so many lives.

At just 34 years old, in 2016, Katherine was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC)—a rare and aggressive cancer. Doctors found it at stage 3, rapidly advancing to stage 4, and she underwent urgent surgery to save her life. The surgery left her needing facial reconstruction and months of physical therapy to relearn how to walk, talk, and function again. After a year of recovery, she was declared in remission, married the love of her life, and welcomed her youngest child, now 6 years old.

But her fight wasn’t over. In 2019, Katherine began experiencing severe chest pains. Despite her persistence, her doctors initially didn’t believe a scan was necessary. When they finally checked, they found her cancer had spread to both lungs. Over the next few years, Katherine endured:

• 4 major lung surgeries (including 19 tumors removed from just her left lung)

• Multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation

• Long, grueling 6-hour round trips to the Augusta Cancer Center and countless appointments in Brunswick, GA

Through it all, she stayed strong for her children. She loved nothing more than baking with them, celebrating Christmas (her favorite holiday), and simply being their mom.

Now, at just 44 years old, Katherine has been placed on hospice. Her cancer has spread to her lungs, ribs, and liver. She is spending her final days surrounded by her family, her four children (ages 26, 24, 14, and 6) and her two grandchildren (Grayson, 4 and Da’Koa, 2).

Sadly, Katherine did not have life insurance due to her diagnosis and lack of resources. Her eldest daughter is now facing the unimaginable: grieving her mother while trying to support her younger siblings and fighting in court for custody of her 14 and 6-year-old brothers—so they can stay together as a family.

We’re asking for your support during this heartbreaking time. Donations will help:

Cover legal fees for custody

Provide for Katherine’s two youngest children’s care and needs

Assist her eldest daughter, who has been carrying the financial burden of supporting her mom and siblings while raising her own child

Katherine devoted her life to helping others as a home health nurse for the elderly. She gave everything she had to her family and her patients. Now, it’s our turn to give back and honor her by ensuring her children are cared for.

Any amount helps—whether it’s $5 or simply sharing this campaign. Thank you for keeping Katherine and her family in your prayers and hearts.