Good News Fridays: Katelyn Norman’s Bucket List

By Nathan Young on March 29, 2013

First off; I need you all to go vote for Lesley Carter’s in the myBBB contest. There are several ways to vote for her. You can vote by using Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, and Stumble Upon. Please vote by going to: http://www.mydestination.com/users/lesley/bbb#tab

Learn more about the Lesley Carter My Detestation contest by reading my interview with her at: http://geekalabama.com/2013/03/27/seven-questions-with-lesley-carter/

Now on to the Good News Fridays post. Katelyn Norman from Tennessee was a very special young lady. She was a great high school student and was getting ready for her life ahead. Then the unthinkable happened, Katelyn was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. Katelyn spent the last two years fighting this cancer but doctors eventually told her that it had spread and there was not much more doctors could do. So she was sent home to spend the last amounts of time of her life with her family.

This diagnosement of osteosarcoma was not going to stop Katelyn Norman. She decided to start a bucket list! Some of the bucket list items included a last slow dance, attending a prom, learning to drive a car, riding a motorcycle, spend a day with each sibling, and seeing Italy among other amazing things! Sadly, Katelyn will not get to experience any more bucket list items. Katelyn, who was 14, passed away today at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital at 8:19 am.

The whole community in Campbell County Tennessee came together for Katelyn. One of her bucket list items was a prom. So last Tuesday, a special prom for her was planned, but Katelyn had breathing problems and had to go to the hospital. Still, many people turned out to the prom! The prom’s theme was “Katie in the Sky with Diamonds” and about 1,000 people with candles lined the road leading to the dance venue to show support for the vibrant girl who had touched so many. Katelyn held her own prom at the hospital and that was amazing!

Doctors sedated Katelyn on Thursday night and she peacefully passed away this morning. Singer Austin Carlile from the band Of Mice & Men tweeted “Heaven gained another angel this morning. #RIPKatelynNorman Her light will never go out. She’ll always be in my heart. I promised her that.” You have until April 2nd to donate to the Katelyn Norman Go Fund Me page at: http://www.gofundme.com/Katesbucketlist. All money donated will go to churches and families that Katelyn wanted to support and to cover funeral expenses. All messages on the fundraising site will also be saved for the family. Rest in peace Katelyn!