My name is Cathy, and I’m the proud mother of Brooke.
From the moment she was born, Brooke has faced a complex combination of rare medical conditions—partial duplication of chromosome 10P, mitochondrial disease, and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia. It's taken us her entire life to begin finding real answers and treatments that meet her needs. One of the hardest parts is that there is no cure—and very few doctors know how to care for someone like Brooke.
Brooke’s older sister, Randi, was born with the same conditions. In 2010, we faced every parent’s worst nightmare when we lost Randi due to complications from these diseases. Since then, every day with Brooke has been a gift. Her life has been full of medical challenges, yet her spirit has never wavered. She is endlessly creative, full of light, and embraces life with a passion that inspires everyone around her.
Two years ago, Brooke was diagnosed with small and large intestine ileus. The only way to keep her nourished and at home with us was daily IV hydration. At the time, insurance didn’t cover this care, and we had no choice but to pay out-of-pocket—on top of the $2,500 a month we were already spending on medications and supplies. It was financially and emotionally overwhelming.
After nearly 18 months of advocating and fighting for help, we finally got her IV care approved by insurance. We were just starting to exhale when disaster struck again. Hurricane Helene hit, shutting down the largest U.S. manufacturer of IV fluids. Suddenly, the whole country faced a shortage—and patients like Brooke were being rationed. Our infusion company told us they couldn’t supply her daily needs because she was new to them, with only two months of history. She was at the bottom of the list.
That’s when Angels for Change and Laura Bray came into our lives.
I emailed their Drug Shortage Hotline from their website. Their founder, Laura Bray, emailed me! She stepped in, worked with our infusion center, and made sure Brooke got the fluids she needed. Since then, we haven’t had to worry. That kind of peace of mind is something I can’t even put into words. Others were supported too!
Then in February, Brooke was hospitalized again—and this time, we received a devastating new diagnosis: pancreatic cancer.
Now, more than ever, being home with her family, surrounded by love and stability, is everything. Thanks to continued IV support and Angels for Change, Brooke can stay home, continue her treatments, and live the life she loves.
And for Brooke, that life includes theater. She always says, “I am more than my disabilities and illnesses,” and she proves it every time she steps on stage. Performing gives her joy, confidence, and a sense of purpose like nothing else.
For over 12 years, Brooke was part of a theater group for individuals with disabilities. When it disbanded during the pandemic, she was heartbroken. But in 2024, a young man with cerebral palsy started a new group called ALL ABILITIES, and Brooke dove right in. She’s now one of the stars of the troupe, playing Peppermint Patty in Snoopy the Musical and taking on a lead role in Schoolhouse Rock this past spring.
I always say, “Don’t tell Brooke she’s not a Broadway actress—because she plays every role like she’s already there.”
Theater isn’t just a hobby for Brooke—it’s part of who she is. It’s her outlet, her joy, and her way of showing the world that she is so much more than her medical chart.
Thank you to Angels for Change. You lifted a burden from our family during a time of crisis, and that gave us the space to focus on what really matters: helping Brooke live, heal, and shine.
