Hi everyone,

I’m writing with the family’s permission as someone who’s been lucky enough to know Kathy for many years. She’s always given so much of her time, energy and care to others, and I imagine many of you have felt that firsthand - I certainly have.

Kathy has now been in the ICU for 23 days after an unexpected and rapid medical crisis. She brought herself to the ER in severe pain, but her condition deteriorated quickly. Within hours, she was intubated and went into acute heart failure due to the immense strain on her body.

She spent the first 13 days on a ventilator in the Cardiac ICU and then the Neuro ICU. On day 8, she experienced a horrific failed extubation that led to reintubation within hours. After weeks of intensive care and a step down to the Neuro Special Care Unit, she has now been extubated, but remains medically fragile and at high risk for setbacks.

Despite facing multiple chronic health challenges, Kathy has always been fiercely independent. After retiring from her full-time work as a speech therapist in New York, she continued working part-time in New Hampshire providing speech services for the local school district, recently even taking on a new virtual position with another school district. It was a way for her to keep doing the work she loves - and to help manage the high costs of her ongoing medical needs. Among many other medical expenses, Kathy has required - and will continue to require - infusions every 2–3 weeks, each costing over $800 out of pocket even after financial assistance through the hospital.

As a self-employed contractor, she doesn’t have paid sick leave or disability coverage. With this medical emergency, she’s already lost nearly a month of income and will not be able to return to work for at least the rest of the school year. Meanwhile, she faces not only the long road of physical recovery, but a growing number of medical bills.

Our top priority is her healing but we also want to make sure she isn’t burdened by financial stress once she’s home. Every dollar raised will go directly toward covering her medical expenses and lost income.

If you're able to give, no matter the amount, it would mean the world. And if you're not able to give, sharing this with your community would help more than you know.

Thank you for your support, love, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

With deep gratitude,


Andrea and the Lewis Family