I have created this fundraiser for my mother on behalf of my wonderful Aunt Vicki, who is much more eloquent than I am. The words below are hers.

Below the photo of Kathy and her puppy, Bella, you will find a story written about my sister Kathy. At first, I thought I was only going to write a paragraph or two to highlight a few specific areas that make Kathy special, and why a GoFundMe page was being made. The next thing I knew, hours and hours had gone by, and my paragraph turned into a five-page story. It was very emotional writing it, but also therapeutic. I realize that asking people to read five pages might be a bit too much. If you have time to read it all, please do, but now I will try to just stick to a shorter summary of why we are asking for support through this GoFundMe page.

After not feeling well for most of the summer, Kathy was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As with any family who ever receives any kind of terrible diagnosis like this about a loved one, it is a very hard blow. Cancer is prevalent, but at the same time it is always a huge shock and devastating blow to be handed that diagnosis. It was definitely a huge shock when Kathy’s stomach issues turned out to be a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It was especially shocking because of the extremely healthy lifestyle that Kathy lives, and also because she is only in her early 50’s; however, cancer does not discriminate.

Kathy’s family and friends immediately rallied to give her support in any way possible. Kathy is currently out of sick time at work, and she is not able to return to work any time soon. We put together a Gift Basket raffle right away that is being held on October 15, 2022. The response has been amazing. Local businesses have been so generous by contributing gift certificates and gift baskets to the cause. Family, friends, and friends of friends have been reaching out and offering their support in so many ways. Many are making gift baskets from home or donating items for gift baskets. Others are helping by handing out flyers or signing up to make food for the event. Each day Kathy is receiving cards from people showing their love and support. At the same time, so many people are asking for a method to directly donate funds, which has prompted this GoFundMe page.

Those who know Kathy know that she is the kind of person who lights up a room when she walks in. She loves people and she has a genuine gift of making everyone feel special. She is endlessly kind, friendly, positive, and generous. She is, quite frankly, the best mother, sister, daughter, and wife that anyone could ever ask for. Kathy has always cared for her family and friends with love that knows no bounds. Her husband, Brain, was officially added to the “family” portion of that list on Kathy’s birthday, December 20th, 2020 in addition to his large family that love and adore her. In September of this year, Kathy and Brian were preparing to go on their honeymoon to St. Lucia Island in the Caribbean when Kathy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, the honeymoon had to be postponed while Kathy starts her treatment regimen. The treatment process involves lots of time away from work for both Kathy and Brain. It involves lots of travel to and from the Hospital of UPenn in Philadelphia. There are also complimentary treatments and therapies available that unfortunately are not covered by insurance, but are shown to be effective with this type of cancer. Any support that could be given to help Brian and Kathy as they work to get through this difficult time would be deeply appreciated.

The best way to sum up Kathy is “To Know Her is to Love Her”

We always ask for your prayers of healing first. It is greatly appreciated if you can support Kathy through this GoFundMe Page. She is a generous and giving woman, and there is no time in Kathy’s life where she could use the support of family, friends, and community more than now.

My sister, Kathy

It has always been the funniest thing - Kathy could be ziplining in some mountain resort 1,000 miles away, or she could be standing stranded on a rock in the middle of white-water rapids after falling from a raft, and out of nowhere, someone would shout out excitedly, “Hey Kathy! Fancy meeting you here!!” (or something along those lines .) It has always made our family laugh that no matter where Kathy goes, she always bumps into someone she knows. It truly never fails to amaze me.

I am Kathy’s older sister, Vicki. I’d like to tell a story that does not necessarily revolve around pancreatic cancer, but rather around the person I love so much who was recently diagnosed with this cancer that threatens to steal someone so precious from us.

This is not the first experience we have had with the evils of cancer. It destroys not just the body of the victim it attacks, but it dramatically alters the course of so many other lives of the people that love, rely on, and need that person. I do not want to say that we take life for granted, because that is something we try not to do; however, at the same time it is easy to fall into the habit of thinking that most lives will go into old age. It is especially easy to think about that regarding Kathy, because a long time ago in a funny moment she randomly picked 108 as the age she wanted live to, and with her healthy lifestyle it was not a far stretch of the imagination in seeing that happen. Nevertheless, we should know better. Cancer does not discriminate. I remember vividly the date of November 22, 2000 when my 35-year-old husband who was suffering from a very rare form of lung cancer that metastasized to his entire body woke up and knew for certain it was his last day. I remember him saying through rattling chest sounds, “This is it Vick.” Shortly after that he went into a semi coma in a reclining chair in the living room of our home. The doctor described that he was drowning in his lungs. It was hard to bear the sounds of what he was going through. I kept our three young daughters home from school that day. I called family. I called the priest. I then went out to the garage and called my sister and sobbed to her.

She was literally (and for no dramatic effect at all) not just my Hallmark-card kind of a sister, but my hero that day. I will never forget what she did for my husband mostly, but also for my daughters and myself that day. While I cannot always absorb all the scientific information she shares with me, I KNOW she says nothing haphazardly and in which it is not supported by intense research in a multitude of medical researched-based frameworks. While Kathy was only in her early 30’s at the time, she was incredibly knowledgeable about health. She had a lot of respect for doctors, but also from early on she learned to think outside of the box when many health issues could not be answered by simply being put on an antibiotic for 12 years (her doctor had her on an antibiotic from a young teenager to early twenties). It helped the overall problem, but other issues arose that could only be questioned if the antibiotic itself caused the new problems. Therefore: Kathy entered a lifetime devoted to research, research, and more research about modern medicine in conjunction with a holistic and comprehensive approach to health.

Now, back to why I mentioned that in conjunction to my beloved late husband and how Kathy became my hero. Kathy had been there the entire time through my husband’s ordeal with cancer as not only his sister-in-law, but as one of his best friends ever. That day she took one of his last medical steps into her own hands. Rather than the police officer who stopped her for speeding down the highway giving her a ticket, he actually turned on red and blue lights and escorted her to my house. She explained to me what was in the tincture that she brought. She had my three daughters, Amanda, Jamie, and Jessie take turns giving their father the correct number of drops mixed with water every 20 minutes. I did not think that she was going to save my husband’s life that day, but what she did was stop the rattling and painful drowning in his lungs. He died that night at 9:22 from the cancer while surrounded by family in my home. He did not have hospice, because the change in his health went from bad to worse fast; however, he had my incredible sister. He passed away so peacefully. Nobody wants to see a loved one pass away, but to have the comfort of a peaceful passing constitutes as a gift in my book. Privately I have reflected on that night for the past 22 years. I remember everything that happened. I remember where everyone stood. I remember the last breath by sight and sound. I remember everything my daughters did. I remember everything my sister did. I have never talked out loud about it, but I will never forget it.

Kathy did not initially begin her research with the intention of becoming a positive impact to so many lives for the next 35 years, but with the dedication she gave to it, and the excitement and empowerment she found from it, she could not help but share the knowledge. Anybody reading this that knows my sister also automatically and unconditionally knows what I am talking about. She shares wholeheartedly what she knows, and she helps anyone and everyone with a sincere passion to make a difference.

Each day we are given is a gift. There is not a day that has gone by since my husband passed away that I have not thought of that, or all the people we have lost before and after that time. I know I am not alone in that understanding, and I am not sharing some new revelation. I know I am speaking for many people. Life has a beginning and an end. With life comes death. We all know about living life to the fullest and trying not to take precious moments for granted. It is the untimely ‘ends’ that I think leave us the most confused though. I know many people know what I am talking about. When this happens, perspectives change. Realizations begin. What is important in life is not just understood through words of wisdom anymore; it is understood by reality.

I know my sister has lived an amazing life and she has touched so many people with her endearing personality, her infectious smile, and her genuineness towards people. She is this way with the people she sees daily, the people she sees occasionally, or someone she may never have met in person and only speaks to on the phone clear across the country. She is the type of person you walk away from and think, “Wow, I was meant to have that person walk into my life today.” Kathy is uplifting, and she simply radiates the best of everything in life. She is the only one I know who can be excited over the smallest achievements, or the most ordinary everyday happenings and she will screech out like she does, cover her mouth, and then shout out words of praise and accolades and make you feel great about yourself and bigger than life. It is a gift she has, and it is a gift she gives to people every day of her life. Kathy herself is the gift.

About two or three weeks ago, Kathy had been trying to get to the Whole Foods Market in Marlton, but on each consecutive day that she tried to go her pain level prevented her from going. This was right about the time of her initial diagnosis. Her niece, Jamie, kept trying to arrange a few hours of the day where Kathy’s medicine was working best and then they were going to hurry and get in the car and go during that window of time where her pain level was more bearable. Well, they finally got to the store. While Jamie was at a counter ordering something for Kathy, Kathy was further down that same aisle, and her pain came back full force. She tried to disguise it and crouched down and pretended to read the labels of some items on the bottom shelf. A woman walked by Kathy and asked her if she was ok. Kathy assured her that she was fine. The woman started to walk away, and then asked Kathy if she was sure. Kathy said yes and let her know that her niece was at the end of the aisle at the counter. (Side story – Kathy tries desperately to hide her pain from all of us. She tries to act as normal as possible, and it is just once in a while when you see her hand touch her belly and a cringe sneaks across her face, that tells the real story. So, I can only imagine this is exactly what Kathy was doing in the store.) Well, the woman who had approached Kathy walked away and got about halfway down the aisle. She turned around and came right back to Kathy and said, “I’m praying for you.” Kathy looked at her and said, “Thank you.’ Kathy looked down for a moment, and then looked back up just as the woman was about to walk away, and she said, “I am Kathy Hackney Will.” The woman said, “I’m going to pray for Kathy Hackney Will.” While they were still out, my daughter called me and told me the story. I could so easily visualize the whole thing. What made me cry when I heard the story is that is the type thing Kathy always does. Where I said in a previous paragraph about the reaction I am sure people have towards Kathy is, “Wow, I was meant to have that person walk into my life today,” Kathy’s story from Whole Foods Market where somebody showed that kind of care to my sister was touching and inspiring.

Not that I do not want to, but I am not going to write a lot about what having Kathy as a sister means to me. I think I could write a best seller book if I wrote all the reasons why I have been honored, blessed, and fortunate to call her my sister. I have a lifetime of beautiful memories since our childhood, incredible stories of compassion and giving, and some of the best knee slappers ever! I would write about how she gracefully managed adversity, and how she is proof that you don’t have to be rich to be one of the most giving persons ever. I would include the greatest Kathy-isms, and I would write about the amazing stories she tells and how people are enthralled as they listen. I would write about the positive energy that is felt when Kathy walks into a room, and I would include all the ways she brings people and knowledge together. Of course, I would have to include a chapter about the yearly Mad Lib she makes for every New Year’s Eve that revolves around everyone in the family, and we sit around the fire and laugh and joke as we complete it. One of the best chapters, or this would have to be a book in and of itself, is the one about Kathy and Motherhood. Josh was Kathy’s gift; earlier in life she was told that she would not be able to have children. She is everything that Motherhood should be. She taught by example, and she loved without limitations.

Kathy and I can talk every day, or we can let a week go by and then talk, or we can suddenly get the busy signal because we are calling each other at the same exact moment, or a pandemic can happen and steal precious time….but no matter what, she is my best friend; my sister – She’s Incredibly Sweet, Thoughtful, Encouraging, & Radiant.

Kathy is my long curly haired red-headed sister who has been the kindest, sweetest, and most energetic non-follower her entire life. As a child in grade school, I would find her defending the kids the bullies tried to pick on, even if the bullies were four years older than her! She is the one who wanted the big part in the play, and the one who could very respectfully defend her answers on a test if they were unjustly marked wrong.

She grew into a woman who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives in big ways and small ways – from standing up bravely against severe injustice to being the person at the other end of the phone that you were so thankful answered your call because she made you know that YOU mattered and never belittled or brushed you off.

She has worked with the public in one format or other for her entire career and she gets to know each person rather than ever making them feel like a ‘blank’ person or just another number. This is the reason people know her wherever she goes…. nearby, or 1,000 miles away. She knows their name. She is genuine, and she gives them the time of day. (She even knows the names of their pets!!) She lives by the philosophy that nobody knows what is going on in someone else’s life, and that one smile she sends out to someone who may feel invisible may be just what that person needed. Rather than keeping her phone number private, she shares it with anyone who just may need someone to talk to, advice on health, advice on exercise and fitness, or to help a friend of a friend of a friend. That is Kathy.

In our family she is adored by all. She is by far the best ‘connector’ with everyone. She does not let distant relatives (literally or figuratively) become ‘distant.’ There is NOT a contact number that she does not have! She is literally the (with a long e) ‘coolest Aunt ever’ to her nieces. Her son Josh is the luckiest son ever.

The evening before her first oncologist appointment she organized, last minute, a get together. She began it all because she was excited to try this amazing recipe of Baked Macaroni and Cheese using cauliflower rather than elbow pasta. It was just going to be Kathy and her husband Brian, and Joe and me. Well, just like that this is what it turned into all on a Tuesday evening after everyone was done work: A backyard event with extra tables and chairs being brought over, tents being set up, people bringing over crockpots of food, trays and platters of food, a whole table full of desserts, and a field full of cars belonging to all the family and friends that came. It was a beautiful evening. Kathy struggled to make her recipe that afternoon because of how sick she felt, and she had to take a nap afterwards. She mingled with everyone, and she shared laughter and joy. If love, family, and friendship could be bottled and sold, we would have been billionaires that night. And no joke, Kathy’s recipe was amazing! It was a hit.

After dating Brian for eight years, she married into the ‘Will’ family on December 20, 2020 during the middle of the covid pandemic. They had a big reception that they named their “I DO” reception that was held the following September. Not even a year later, Kathy started her fight against cancer. They had a honeymoon vacation planned for this month. They just cancelled all the reservations for that island trip. During their September 25, 2021 “I DO” reception, they announced their “WE STILL DO” party for September 2023. We are all looking forward to that.

Kathy started having noticeable stomach and back pains in late June 2022. At first, it was dealt with as maybe some type of food was not agreeing with her, or an allergic reaction to a food. Her doctor did not think there was anything seriously wrong. She had off and on bouts of pain in July. She would stop for a moment and hold her stomach and then move on. All blood tests were coming back normal. She continued to work, she but took off a little more time than typical for her. She went to all the dress fittings for her youngest niece’s summer wedding, she grew a HUGE flower garden in her yard for the purpose of making flower baskets to sell, and she regularly visited her sister-in-law in ICU at U-Penn who also has a serious illness. Every Sunday she and Brian got together with the group they called ‘Spinners’ which is made up of Brian’s family to share love, fun, and support while playing the game Spinner with Brian’s cousin Jimmy. Sadly, Jimmy passed away in August.

Later in August, Kathy’s pains intensified to the point that she was admitted to U-Penn for a short-term stay. Testing continued to try to find out why she was not feeling well. On August 20th Kathy received the first news that there was a possibility of cancer, but results were inconclusive. She did not want to share/scare the family with the news since it was not confirmed. In early September Kathy asked her mom, sister, and nieces to meet her for a late lunch at a local restaurant. She paused now and then to hold her stomach but continued to enjoy the occasion like any other time, but eventually, and very eloquently and bravely she let us know that she is pretty sure she has cancer.

On September 7, 2022 she received the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. On Monday September 26th she began her chemo treatments as an in-patient at U-Penn. The cancer is in her pancreas and liver.

Kathy is out of sick time at work. The entire family has organized a raffle basket fundraiser and 50/50 for Kathy, which is being held on October 15, 2022. However, people have been reaching out and asking for a means to contribute funds to her cause if they are unable to attend the in-person fundraiser. This is the reason the GoFundMe Page has been created.

The best way to sum up Kathy is “To Know Her is to Love Her”

We always ask for your prayers of healing first. If you can support Kathy through this GoFundMe Page, it is greatly appreciated. She is a generous and giving woman, and there is no time in Kathy’s life where she could use the support of family, friends, and community more than now.

Thank you so much for everything.