Help Katie Kick Cancer!

Katie Leuthauser, our friend, beloved science teacher, favorite coach, sister and partner in crime was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma in August.  For those of you who’ve had the good fortune of sharing a smile or belly-aching laugh with her, this news was a punch to the gut.  Katie is the most upbeat, benevolent and overall amazing human being a family/community could ask for (as demonstrated in the pictures below). 

She’s frequently seen around town in costumes, volunteering to coach kids, laughing as she skates past you on the ice rink, and providing extra-curricular help for her students.  She can fit more fun, love and helpful energy into an hour than most of us can fit into a week.  

Since her diagnosis, she’s started treatment in Seattle through Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  Her doctors recommended a clinical trial that pairs 3 of the 4 ‘standard chemo drugs’ used to treat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with an immunotherapy drug as well. (Chemo: Adriamycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine.  Immunotherapy: Pembrolizumab).  The main focus of the study is to replace the 4th chemo drug (bleomycin) with pembrolizumab to see if it can treat late stage hodgkin’s lymphoma with fewer side effects.  This is also believed to be the more aggressive course of treatment.  Based on the results of her next planned PET scan she may, or may not continue with this course of treatment.  Regardless, her prognosis is good and she’s feeling optimistic.

Since the day she moved to the Methow, she’s poured her heart and soul into helping others and now it’s our turn to help her.  Medical bills and travel to Seattle have started to add up and we’ve started this campaign to help alleviate any associated stress.  This is expected to be a long process (at least six months) and we expect the list of expenses will only get longer (including potentially reduced/loss of income from time off work).  It’s really hard to watch such an incredible human being deal with these challenges (mentally and physically) but we’re glad there are some little things we can do to help her.  Today, we’re hoping this GoFund me campaign will alleviate any concern about the associated expenses and loss of income that she may incur. 

For additional updates and ways to help and updates, follow these links:

https://mealtrain.com/g41r6l

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katieleuthauser

Thank you so much for your help.  We’re looking forward to the day we can all share a smile with her- CANCER FREE!
 
Here's a little pic of Katie with her mom and dad.