As Lewis-Palmer Middle School physical education teacher Katelynn Gillen grapples with a diagnosis that has changed her life, the broader D38 community has rallied behind her in support.
Gillen announced her diagnosis with Epstein-Barr virus in March, saying she started by simply not feeling well and quickly took a turn for the worse.
“Your whole life just changes in a matter of weeks, you are just dealing with some pain and discomfort like we all do, but now I have transitioned on being on oxygen and not being able to take care of myself,” said Gillen, who recently was profiled by Jasmine Arenas with KRDO.
To combat worsening symptoms, including organ complications and extreme pain, Gillen is scheduled to receive serious treatment in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic.
As she prepares for that treatment in April, Gillen is receiving support from friends, family and the broader D38 community in the form of a GoFundMe that has raised more than $5,000 to assist with medical costs.