<div>Imagine being told you have a rare cancer that has spread at 39 years old.  That’s the reality Katie is facing right now.  If you know Katie, you know she shows up for everyone.
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<div>She shows up for her friends, her family, her work, and her community. She has spent years advocating for the Deaf community through her role as Miss Deaf Texas and by directing year-round wilderness camps for Deaf and hard of hearing youth.
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<div>Now, she needs her community to show up for her.
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<div>I’m Megan, and I’m writing this on Katie’s behalf because this is one of those moments where community truly matters. I’ve seen firsthand the way people are drawn to her, inspired by her curiosity, her insight, and the way she experiences life so fully.
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<div>Katie has been diagnosed with PEcoma, a rare and aggressive kind of sarcoma cancer that originated in her uterus. The diagnosis came suddenly and required an emergency hysterectomy during Christmas. Since then, it’s been confirmed that the cancer has spread, and she is now undergoing intensive treatment.
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<div>Like so many facing cancer, there is no clear why. 
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<div>Katie is facing this with honesty, determination, and a plan. She is pursuing chemotherapy alongside carefully considered lifestyle and integrative care strategies to give her body the strongest possible support. She is also documenting parts of her journey so that others facing cancer can learn from it. If you know her, that won’t surprise you.
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<div>What is surprising, and deeply frustrating, is how much of this life-saving care is not fully covered by insurance.
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<div>Katie is facing a significant financial gap. There are essential medications, specialists, and supportive treatments that are either partially covered or not covered at all. One required injection she must receive 24 hours after each chemotherapy cycle costs $6,000 per dose. That expense alone repeats with every round of chemo.
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<div>Funds raised here will help cover:
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<div>* Critical cancer treatments and medications not fully covered by insurance
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<div>* Co-pays and deductibles that quickly add up
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<div>* Out-of-network specialists with expertise in rare cancers
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<div>* Travel for treatment and follow-up care
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<div>* Necessary integrative support that helps her tolerate and recover from treatment
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<div>Katie and I recently talked about how deeply community support matters during times like this. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Sharing the weight creates space for steadiness, rest, and recovery. This fundraiser is one way to offer that support.
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<div>If you’ve ever felt angry that insurance doesn’t cover what people actually need… If you’ve watched someone you love face cancer and wished you could do more… If Katie has ever shown up for you or your community…
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<div>This is how you help.
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<div>Be part of Katie’s team.
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<div>Every contribution, whether it’s $25 or $2,500, directly supports Katie’s ability to access care, reduce stress, and keep moving forward with hope and clarity.
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<div>And if you’re not able to give right now, sharing this page is just as powerful. Community grows through visibility.
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<div>Thank you for being part of Katie’s team. 
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Megan Klusza
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Trina Schooley

Vladimir Kovalenko

Ami Garry

Russell Harvard

Eric R Fifer

Justin Adkins

Nicole Moran

Anonymous

Kristilyn Rohrkasse

Leila Hanaumi

Jennifer Ortega

Jimmy Granger

Danish Shaikh

Clara Baldwin

Andrea Sisson

Angela Campion

Tia Barish

Shawndra Hall

Shelley Oishi

Support Katie’s Healing Journey with PEComa

Support Katie’s Healing Journey with PEComa

Still $31,512 to go. Help us build momentum.