My friend Kathrynn is only 24 years old and was recently diagnosed with the cancer Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She has had to put much of her life on pause, all while continuing to complete her degree in Audio Engineering at Columbia College Chicago in May of this year.

She struggled with a cough on and off for about a year and a full-body rash no one knew the reason for. Since November, she’s visited many doctors and had labs done only for her to continue to be dismissed with it being allergies or a simple cough.

Late on the night of February 10th, she took herself to the emergency room where it was discovered she had a 13 centimeter wide mass of tissue pushing against major heart arteries, her lungs, esophagus, and trachea. By the next morning, she was being transported by ambulance to Northwestern Hospitals in Chicago for a biopsy where she was officially diagnosed with cancer.

Suddenly, the things Kathrynn had her focus on just days prior became background noise amongst the new lifestyle she quickly had to adapt to in order to manage her new diagnosis and treatments. While she does plan to remain in school, she has had to make the difficult decision to leave an internship, career opportunities, and work to make health her priority.

Kathrynn is one of the most energetic, kind, and caring people I know. Her positivity and the way she supports those around her is truly contagious. Despite how emotionally and physically draining chemotherapy can be, she continues to maintain her sense of humor and her ability to bring light to any situation.

If you’re able to help, even the smallest donation will make a difference. The cost of healthcare should never hang over one’s head as they fight through any diagnosis. Your support means so much to her and everyone who cares about her. We are coming together to raise funds for Kathrynn and her journey through cancer treatment as well as her last semester of college.