In 2002, on Christmas eve, at the age of two, little Katie was diagnosed with acute precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. At the time of diagnosis, she was in the hospital. When told she would be there for awhile, Katie worried Santa would not know where she had gone -- would not be able to find her. Her parents, in all the efforts and time spent getting a proper diagnosis for Katie, had not shopped for Christmas. Both were saddened that Katie would not have any presents come Christmas morning. To their surprise, Katie woke up on Christmas morning to find presents just for her. As her parents tell the story, "The surprises and gifts from people we hadn't met before were pouring in all day. Even Santa came to visit and had his picture taken with Katie. Katie was very happy that Santa found her."

Katie suffered compression fractures in her spine as a result of the cancer and chemotherapy which kept her immobile most of the time. Her chemotherapy would continue for 2 years and 2 months. To pass the time, Katie and her mom watched cooking shows on television. To celebrate the end of chemotherapy, Katie decided she wanted to create a cookbook, and use the money to help other kids with cancer. She contacted many of the chefs from the cooking shows she spent months watching, and they readily agreed to donate recipes for her cookbook. Katie's Cooking: A Cookbook Celebrating Life after Childhood Cancer, which includes 782 recipes, features such celebrity chefs as Rachel Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Biba Caggiano, Paul Prudhomme, Ina Garten, Michael Chiarello, Paula Deen, and Sara Moulton; in addition to recipes from cookbook authors, famous restaurants, and popular nightspots. To learn more about Katie and her cookbook, visit Katie's Wish website. Katie, now six-years-old, has been cancer-free since February 2005!