For Katie Update -- "Card for Katie Campaign

Hello All......just spreading the word on the latest update on Katie and this wonderful card campaign. Orginally posted on the 501st board by Dion TK/TD/DZ 1217. For those of you who do not know, Albin Johnson is the founder of the 501st.

Katie's story: Heart of an Empire Site

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Hello everyone,

For those of us in the 501st, most of you already know the news. For
those who are not, please take the time to read this and maybe join
in. Albin is a good friend of mine and very dear to me. Please, if
you can, join in. I am trying to organize a multi fangroup "Card for
Katie" Campaign. It's nothing difficult... just go to your local card
shop.. find a "Thinking of you" card, or something that will bring a
smile to Katie's face, and mail it to her. You can the address of
where to send it in her dad's (Albin) update below. Time is of the
essence here everyone. Fandom has embraced Katie in her long
struggle... we need to let her know that we're still behind her, and
will remain behind her EVERY step of the way.

Thank you. Below is Albin's last post
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We met with the doctors on Wednesday to discuss the recent PET scans.
The information confirmed that the gray masses in the MRI scans are
indeed cancerous. The tumor has been growing aggressively and now
threatens Katie's life. The doctors were very direct with us, telling
us
that the chemo and radiation could be considered a failure, and that
now
medical science had nothing more to offer Katie. We have been told to
prepare for the end. Referrals have been made to Hospice and we are
making arrangements for how we want to treat Katie with 'comfort
medicine' in the final stages of the disease.

We have not been given a concrete timetable. Katie might have weeks,
she

might have months. But due to the recent degeneration we've been
seeing
in Katie's physical condition, we have to work fast if we want to do
anything special for her. I contacted Make-A-Wish and we have been
granted a Disney trip for the week of June 29th to July 4th and
staying
at the village "Give Kids the World". We will be flying Katie's
step-sister down on Monday so she can participate. The cost is
unexpected, but the trip should be much more economical than we'd
normally have to consider, thanks to Make-A-Wish. We will be out of
touch for this week. We have successfully moved into the new house.
Our
new address is 300 Braewick Rd Columbia SC 29212. All phone numbers
are
the same. Please forgive us as we move in and out of touch.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed and supported us through this
ordeal. I ask that you continue your prayers and think of us as we
are
about to enter the roughest part of this experience. Katie will be
treated for pain and discomfort as the cancer spreads, so it is our
hope
her suffering will be minimal. The hard job will be for all of us, as
we
try to keep a strong face and stay by her side through this.

I am not giving up on God. He is in control. I still believe in
miracles. God will take care of Katie and all of us no matter what
the
outcome. By the same token, I am also wise enough to prepare for
whatever contingencies might happen. So preparations are being made.
Again, I would just ask that everyone pray for Katie and our family.
If
there is anything you want to do for Katie, I would suggest doing it
sooner rather than later. I promise you we will do whatever it takes
to
make her a happy little girl for as long as she is with us.

Thank you and God bless you all.

- Albin Johnson
Katie's dad
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I've been following Katies story for a long time now, and this is just heartbreaking. It had been a long time since the last update, and I was hoping for good news. I just hope that the same miracle that happened for my daughter, can happen with Katie. If you have children, hold them a little tighter tomorrow. Take them and do something special just for them. Because when my daughter was laying in that hospital bed fighting for her life, all I wanted to do was hold her, and I'll never take that for granted. May God bless Katie and her family during this time.

Amen.


Even if you're not a praying kind of person, it doesn't hurt to try.