Hello friends and family, Kat here
On May 21st, my baby sister, Zonnia, received not-so-great news: she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer. She happened to find it while washing around her armpit. Mammograms, ultrasounds and a biopsy later confirmed our worst fear. She has since been navigating a whirlwind of more scans, labs, and difficult decisions.
Initially, we thought we had a clear path: a single tumor, surgery scheduled for June 10, followed by treatment. But a recent pre-op MRI revealed additional masses and lesions in her left breast, which has changed everything. Her surgery has now been postponed, and she’ll be undergoing further testing and imaging to better understand the full extent of what’s happening in her body. We’re hoping to reschedule for late June or early July—once we have the full picture.
This has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster. Zonnia is doing everything she can to stay grounded and hopeful, and not let on to her girls that there’s anything to worry about. But the financial toll is real and growing fast.
What Your Support Helps With
Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are overwhelming. I asked ChatGPT (maybe a mistake?) what the estimated costs would be to manage this journey and, even with insurance, the range it spit out was between $25,000–$75,000. I’m hoping her case will be on the lower end. She’s young and (mostly) healthy, so she has a real chance. Your donations will help cover:
- Cancer treatment costs: imaging, biopsies, surgery, oncology visits, pathology reports
- Living expenses while I recover and can’t work (mortgage, groceries, utilities)
- Transportation, medical travel, or home help if needed
- Supplements, therapies, and recovery support not covered by insurance
Zonnia works as a creative consultant, self-employed, so there are no short-term disability benefits from her employer or PTO. She just has to keep on hustling. Right now, her ability to work is limited with all the appointments taking over her calendar, and the stress of trying to manage everything alone is a weight she cannot carry without support.
Why We’re Asking for Help
Zonnia has always been someone who shows up for others. Now, she’s learning to receive.
Asking for help isn’t easy, but we believe in the power of community, love, and shared strength. If you’re able to contribute—no amount is too small—you’ll be helping Zonnia focus on healing, not bills. If you can’t give, please consider sharing this page. That’s just as valuable.
With Gratitude
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your love, energy, prayers, and donations are fueling her every step of the way. I promise to keep you updated throughout this journey—through every test, result, and breakthrough.
With love and resilience,
Kat & Zonnia
