Kathleen (Kathy) Houchins

Kathy Houchins is our friend as part of our Twisted Sisters girlfriend’s group…well she is more than that, she is EVERYBODY’s friend!

When she came to Fort Walton Beach on vacation with her husband Ivan, they knew this would be their permanent home. After moving to Fort Walton Beach, she immediately involved herself in the community by enthusiastically stepping into leadership roles. In 2008 she became Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Tragically in 2010, Kathy lost Ivan, the love of her life, to cancer. She pulled herself together by involving herself even deeper in the community. She served as Chair of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, President of American Business Women’s Association, Chaired the board for Community Solutions for the Homeless, served on the board for the White Wilson Medical Community Foundation, and Jobs4U. Even now, with all she is going through. she is a board member of United for a Good Cause, Inc., and was instrumental in helping bring the HOPE Squad Suicide Prevention Program to Okaloosa County Schools.

KATHY IS A GIVER.
SHE HAS NEVER MET A STRANGER AND GREETS EVERYONE WITH A WARM SMILE.
NOW HER COMMUNITY NEEDS TO RETURN THE SUPPORT SHE HAS PROVIDED IN THE PAST!

In the Spring of 2014 Kathy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. With determination, she did everything she could to maintain her health, but in 2018, her health took a turn for the worst. She watched her kidney function numbers decrease rapidly and by January of 2019, she was in full renal failure and preparing to go on dialysis permanently.
In spite of receiving such devastating news, Kathy’s positive attitude coupled with endless hours of research, led her to choose to get a peritoneal catheter. This approach would enable her to do the dialysis at home during the night while she slept, and her lifestyle would not be as severely impacted. She went into surgery last February (2019) believing all would go as she planned.

Unfortunately, it did not! After FIVE surgeries, the plan had to change and by May 2019 she was at the dialysis center on hemodialysis twice a week and recovering from the treatment for two more days a week. HER LIFE CHANGED FOREVER. During this time, her friends watched a once vibrant, energetic woman sink into a deep dark place. The rug had been pulled out from under her, and she suddenly understood how someone could consider taking their own life.

It took another year before Kathy would settle into a routine. She once again found her spirit and created a fun and inspirational podcast called “Gutsy Ole Broads,” all the while still tethered to dialysis. In June of 2020, she received a call that would again change her life. An angel came forward to get tested as a potential kidney donor. God is good – that person was a perfect match. So, on April 27, 2021, with community support to raise the funds needed, KATHY WILL RECEIVE A NEW KIDNEY…A CHANCE AT LIVING A FULL, UNTETHERED LIFE AGAIN. Kathy NEEDS OUR HELP TO RAISE $30,000 BEFORE THEY WILL DO THE SURGERY. Will you step up and help Kathy?

Family and friends of Kathleen Houchins are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Kathleen has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!