5k for Kati

By Michael Farnworth

For the Journal

POCATELLO — The sound of feet tapping pavement will be heard throughout the streets on Saturday, all in the name of compassion and love.

Some will be there because they are friends, some because they are loved ones, and some just because they want to help in any way they can.

The event these runners are taking part in is a 5k run/walk to help raise money for Kati Lindsey. Lindsey, 23 was diagnosed with stage-four Glioblastoma on February 15.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Kati underwent surgery to remove the tumor on February 23 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, however surgeons were only able to get roughly 75 percent. She is currently undergoing chemo, and radiation therapy.

"I was pretty scared," Lindsey said of the day she was diagnosed, "just because i didn't know anything about brain cancer."

"5k for Kati" was organized by family friend Sheri Snyder and Kati's sister Melissa Sutton in the hopes of raising money to help the Lindsey family with some of the medical bills that come along with this illness, it's treatments and medical procedures.

"My niece's future mother in law was diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago," Snyder said, "and my sister and I organized a 5k for her. When Kati was going through her surgery, I was trying to think of anything I could do to help Kati and her family, and I thought a 5k would be perfect. I never thought it would be as big as it has gotten. I expected 50 to 60 people, we have over 200 people registered already. We've gotten a lot of support from local businesses. A lot of people have said, "Yeah, we'll help you.""

Anyone who would still like to participate in the event can register the day of the walk from 10 a.m. till noon, at Ammon Park in Pocatello. Registration is $20 dollars a person, and you get a bracelet that says; "Banded together for Kati".

You can also purchase additional bracelets for $5, grey t-shirts that say "We wear grey for Kati" for $10, and there will be "Kisses for Kati" for sale the day of the walk.

"For a dollar you can get a Hershey's kiss that we have attached to a piece of note paper," Snyder said, "and when the walk goes past Kati's house, I've provided a tree to hang them on. Kati loves chocolate, and when she wants a piece, she can go over to the tree, grab a kiss, and read a note from one of her friends. It's to keep her motivated."

"I feel a little less intimidated now," Kati Lindsey said, "I've done some more research, and understand the cancer better."

Doctors have told the family that Kati is "doing really good", and her recovery is "going very well".

Kati has been staying with her father Roger Lindsey during her recovery.

"It's life changing," Roger Lindsey said, "when you know something like this is terminal, it completely changes your perspective, and how you do things."

Kati has tried to maintain a positive outlook throughout her ordeal, and wants others that have gone through the same thing, or will go through it in the future to just "Stay Positive."