Support Kathleen while she battles Lymphoma

Hi, my name is Lili Levy, and twenty-three years ago, I was lucky enough to be assigned a seat next to Kathleen Durkin in freshman year geometry. She’s been in my life ever since. We’ve been on many wild rides together attending the same high school and college, experiencing the National Parks on cross country road trips, trying our best to support each other despite distance and varying degrees of cell phone service through multiple coast to coast moves, career changes, grad school and all the life we’ve lived in between.

However, Kathleen's journey has hit a sudden and challenging turn. Last week, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma, thrusting her into a battle against cancer.

It all began a few months ago when Kathleen was not feeling quite herself. After visiting the doctor and undergoing various tests, she discovered a lump in her neck in early March. She had a CT scan scheduled then things took an urgent turn when her neck suddenly swelled and she was admitted to the hospital for imaging, biopsies, and more testing. She’s been a in-patient since then, waiting for the gears to turn and the various teams charged with her care to do their part in the process towards diagnosis and treatment.

Kathleen has been accepted to the Lymphoma program at Hopkins and was transferred there and stayed as an inpatient as they worked to determine the type of Lymphoma. During that stay, Kathleen was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Needless to say, the impact to Kathleen’s life and livelihood has been profound. As an adjunct professor of art at George Mason University, Kathleen's vibrant spirit shines through as she shares her knowledge and skills with students. She's not just an educator; she's a mentor, guiding her students to find their own artistic voices and supporting them in their personal journeys.

This diagnosis not only threatens Kathleen's health but also jeopardizes her financial stability. With her ability to work limited by treatment, she faces the daunting prospect of mounting medical bills, rent payments, and essential expenses without a steady income to rely on as she faces hospital admissions and grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Kathleen has had to resign from her restaurant job, which supplemented her income as a professor.

Beyond the classroom, Kathleen's hands-on approach to life has taken her on adventures from the North Cascades to Alaska and the wilds of Tennessee. She's a wilderness first responder who isn't afraid to dive headfirst into new challenges, whether it's immersing herself in a new artist residency or embracing the role of an outdoor educator.

Kathleen is a fighter, known for her resilience and unwavering spirit. She refuses to let cancer dim her dreams. Despite the challenges she faces, Kathleen remains determined to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time, tenure-tracked professor. Your support will not only help alleviate her financial burden but also empower her to continue chasing her dreams and inspiring others through her art and teaching.

I like to imagine the best case scenario, where Kathleen is able to focus on herself and her treatment over the next few months, prioritizing her physical and mental health as she embarks on her most challenging expedition yet.

That's where you come in. With your support, we can rally around Kathleen during this challenging time. Your generous contributions will help alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses, rent, and essential needs, allowing Kathleen to focus on what truly matters—her health and healing.

Together, let's stand by Kathleen as she embarks on this courageous journey. Let's ensure that her dreams continue to flourish, even in the face of adversity. Your kindness and generosity will make a world of difference in Kathleen's life and empower her to overcome this obstacle with grace and strength.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope in Kathleen's journey towards recovery.