Please join us to help a local family in need. All proceeds will help the Kolendorski family with medical bills and expenses. To learn more about Katrina and the Kolendorskis battle against cancer, please read below.
In August 2011, Katherine Kolendorski, currently 28 years old, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. This was devastating and shocking for the entire family, as they were just about to start growing their family and try to have their second child. We never thought this could hit so close to home to someone so healthy and young. However, after long hours of driving to North Philadelphia weekly for chemotherapy and radiation, and surgery on her ovaries, cervix and thyroid, Katherine was cleared from this horrifying illness. She is now in remission, but will never be able to have her own child to fulfill their daughter’s dream of having a sibling.
In October 2012, Katherine took their 4 year old daughter, Katrina, to get a CAT scan after finding a lump in her stomach, which led to the diagnosis of Stage V Wilms Tumors. There were six tumors on her right kidney and two on her left, so chemotherapy began promptly and became part of her weekly routine for the next 12 weeks. Once treatments subsided she underwent an extensive 8 hour surgery to remove cancer cells that were still remaining. Then, she spent a week recovering at CHOP, a place that became her second home. In the course of this struggle, Katrina lost her hair, had minimal energy to interact in normal childhood activities and became vulnerable to other illnesses, but she continued to stay strong and kept her spirits high. Thankfully, she has recently been affirmed “cancer-free” and is starting to live an ordinary life in remission.
The battle of cancer may be over for both Katherine and Katrina, however, the Kolendorskis still have the burden of pending medical bills and routine checkup expenses. Therefore, Kisses 4 Katrina will be hosting a benefit on June 30 from 1-4pm at Clancy’s By the Bay in Somers Point, NJ.
Please contact Nancy Friel for further details: 609-425-8818
