Fund-me account set up for young Journee

Published 12:39 am Saturday, January 10, 2015

A family friend of Journee Katauskas has set up a GoFundMe account to help the young family with expenses.

Journee’s mother, father and grandmother are staying with her around-the-clock at the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile.

To learn more about her condition, click here.

Lorene Thompson, a friend of the family, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with any expenses.

“I’m a lifelong friend of Journee’s grandmother, and practically a godmother to Jesika, Journee’s mother,” Lorene Thompson said. “I know it’s hard and they need all the help they can get, whether prayers or a monetary donation.

“This baby has been through so much.”

Chris Kataukas, Journee’s father, said they didn’t know that Thompson was setting up the page.

“This is to help out,” Chris said. “Even the cost of staying here, nothing’s free. This hospital does not bring a meal to your room.

“We stay at the Ronald McDonald house, which is really helpful, but it’s not free,” he said. “The last time we were here for six months, we spent between $6,000 and $10,000.”

Chris said Thompson created the GoFundMe account to help with gas, food and shelter.

“I came down last week with one extra pair of clothes,” Chris said. “I’ve been washing the same pair of clothes ever since.”

In five days, 34 people have donated more than $1,000 to help Journee and her family, and those donating are also sending prayers, like Pamela Deschene who donated $50.

“Because prayers are nice, but they don’t pay the bills,” Deschene said. “I wish I could do more, and I will keep praying for your precious little one.”

Those wanting to contribute can donate at http://www.gofundme.com/jnylz8.