Help for Katie

Help for Katie Fundraiser
Click HERE to go there directly

I'm a tad behind in posting this, but I wanted to share with you the story of a very brave lady. Her name is Katie Renz (click on her name to read her story and follow her journey). Katie & Kevin have 3 boys. I "met" Katie online through Clear Dollar Stamps. Katie is a wonderful crafter, but she also is a mom and has a "biker" husband. Well, a husband who rides motorcycles. We've chatted before about our husbands' love of fast "toys."

Just before Christmas Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Stomach cancer that had also spread to other areas. Her only course of treatment is high potency chemotherapy. On Christmas morning, Katie was admitted to the hospital and stayed there for over a week. She started her chemo in the hospital. She's just now having her 2nd round. She has the best attitude and is fighting with all her strength.

Needless to say there are going to be mounting bills. As most of you know, I've just had 2 friends go through cancer treatment, and one is continuing hers. My friend Kathy had no insurance when she started and I can tell you the costs for chemo alone are beyond imagination. With insurance, it's pretty steep, as you have to pay your deductible (welcome to a new year & a new co-pay), along with your co-pay, and hope you don't max out your lifetime available funds.

If you would like to help the Renz family financially, of course, you can do this privately or if you'd like to give as part of the stamping community, Jak Heath has put together a unique fundraising effort for our dear Katie. With your donation to help Katie, you also will receive a collection of digi stamps from various artists who love Katie. Most of us don't give because we expect something in return, but these just seem like a special tribute to Katie because it is her friends who made them. Each time you use them you can say a prayer for her!

A meal plan has also been set up that offers a way for even those far from Katie to help. I'll post that in a separate post. In addition, after receiving so many well wishes in the mail, Katie & Kevin set up a PO Box that you can use for sending cards. The address as posted on her blog is:

The Renz Family

PO Box 5913

Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Please continue to pray for Katie as she journeys through this nightmare called cancer. And pray that there will be blessings she can see even in the midst of this. Thank you!