Support Katrina & Daughters During Health Battle

Hi everyone! My name is Ginger and I am fundraising on behalf of my best friend, Katrina Marshall and her daughters.

To say the last few years of Katrina’s life have been plagued with tragedy would be an understatement. Through it all, she continues to be a pillar of strength for her girls, a wonderful daughter, sister & friend.

In 2020, while pregnant, Katrina lost her life partner and her girls’ father to gun violence. Being a single parent after losing Brandon was a challenge, but her family helped her maintain a sense of normalcy for her children. In the time since Brandon’s death, the girls proceeded to lose their Aunt (Brandon’s sister Marquita) and most recently their Uncle (Katrina’s brother Michael Marshall). Both of which were consistent figures in their lives.

Katrina is now facing her biggest personal hurdle. This past May, shortly before her brother’s passing, Katrina was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her doctor shared that lesions on the spinal cord tend to be more aggressive. Katrina has many lesions on both her brain and spinal cord. She has been started on a monthly injection for her MS treatment.

During one of the many scans for her MS work up, her care team also located a brain tumor. The tumor is not connected with the MS and is a separate thing for her to take on. Her neurosurgeon is not sure at this point if the tumor is benign or not, but that is the hope and prayer. Katrina confirmed yesterday that she will need to undergo brain surgery to remove. Because of the tumor size, location and since they couldn’t say with certainty if it was benign- removing is the best option. If the tumor were to move or break apart, the consequences could be life altering. The tumor is closely touching her brain stem and contains blood vessels, which will make it a more challenging procedure. After the cranial surgery she will need to remain hospitalized for at least one week (best case scenario).

There are a lot of unknowns, but one thing I know is she needs our support. At this time, I am asking for any contributions to help her through this turbulent time. She never wants to be a burden or ask for anything. She is the strongest person I know and gives herself fully to her children.

Please consider helping to alleviate some of the financial burden that life has brought her way so that she can focus on being here and present as long as she can with her girls.

Any money received will be used to:

- Cover time off of work for appointments and to make up the difference in pay (she will qualify for short term disability for a portion of her income) for when she is off post-op recovering

- Copays for medications, numerous imaging tests and procedures (brain & spine MRIs, spinal taps, lab work)

- To maintain the activities for her precious daughters. Gymnastics, dance and basketball have been a constant for them over the last few years of drastic life changes

- Unexpected day to day costs that may arise

All contributions, good thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated, thank you!