Katelyn Divis Fundraiser

I wish I would have thought of posting this a few days ago.  I'm sure by the time many of you read this, it will be past the fundraising date. I wanted to post this anyway, just in case you have any other fundraising ideas that can help this adorable 6 year old get to China.

Jamie, who is Katelyn's mom, and I went to middle school together.  Jamie and I had the same English class and had a crush on the same boy so most of our conversations were about him. After middle school we both went to different high schools, but I would occasionally see her since we are both LDS.  After high school, I lost contact with Jamie and didn't see her for probably close to 8 years.  

Right after my dad got called to be Bishop in the HB Ward, which was about 3 years ago,  I got a call from him asking if I knew a girl named Jamie Schutz. I told my dad I went to middle school with her and then asked how in the world that name came up and how he knew her. Next thing you know, I'm on the phone with Jamie having at least a 20 min conversation. Ever since then Jamie and I have become a lot closer. She came up to Utah and spent a weekend with me, she's come to Lake Arrowhead with me, and every once in a while we have girls nights together.  I wish I saw her more, but she is now a busy mom with 2 adorable girls. 

Katelyn, who is Jamie's oldest, was born with a rare disease that has made her visually impaired since birth.  Katelyn was accepted to have some stem cell treatment done in China to try to help with her vision.  This will be her second round of treatment, which is very expensive!  Please read below what Justin and Jamie sent out a few weeks ago.

Katelyn Divis

Katelyn's first treatment in China

We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce our daughter and ourselves to you. Our daughter, Katelyn, is six years old and has just this year embarked on the exciting adventure we call Frist grade.  She often awakes in the early hours of the morning too excited to sleep as she thinks of the new friends and opportunities that wait for her at school that day.

Katelyn’s day is in many ways different than yours or mine might be.  Kate is visually impaired, and has been so since birth. Diagnosed with a rare condition known as Septo Optic Dysplasia, Katelyn’s optic nerves as well as pituitary gland never fully developed.  Despite the challenges life has presented Katelyn, she has learned and achieved much in her short five years here on earth. Kate reads and writes Braille well above her age expectation, has run in a marathon, is a member of a local children’s choir, has performed in her first piano recital, and yes…has already received the honor of being sent to the principal’s office after a physical altercation ensuing an argument over the reality of Disney princesses. Her many gifts (and loveable quirks) aside, she is a typical little girl who loves McDonalds, Disneyland and being with friends and family.

As her parents we have been praying for Katelyn from the moment she entered our lives.  In our prayers we have asked that Katelyn’s mind be quickened and expanded to allow her to learn anything good she wishes to be a part of her life, we have prayed that those around Katelyn would understand her goodness and humor and desire her friendship.  Our prayers have always been answered, and often in greater ways than we have expected.

As you might expect, another prayer in our hearts has been that one day, a way for Katelyn to gain sight would be found.  Recently, while doing further research into Septo Optic Dysplasia we were led to a report detailing the work of a group of American doctors in Qingdao, China. This group of doctors has been using umbilical cord stem cells to treat ten different diagnoses, one of which is Septo Optic Dysplasia. Over a period of five to six weeks the patients receive treatments that have yielded sight to substantially improved vision for those being treated with Katelyn’s same diagnosis.  We believe that the seemingly random clicks on the internet late one evening that led us to find this needle in a haystack of information was not chance.  We can’t help but think this could be at least in part an answer to our prayer for Katelyn’s healing. We immediately called the American team in Qingdao and submitted Katelyn’s medical records for review in hopes that she would be accepted to receive treatment there. After review by the specialists involved, Katelyn has been accepted to receive treatment.

The cost to undergo the treatments for Septo Optic Dysplasia is $80,000.  Like many of you, our financial reserves do not come close to covering such a fee.  We are determined to do our part to allow our daughter to have the chance of improved vision, and are currently seeking every possible avenue to make this a reality.  It is with humility that we ask for your help in raising the funds necessary to allow Katelyn this opportunity.  Your donations as well as ideas for patronage of additional fundraising activities is greatly needed.