ABOUT KAYLA
Kayla Nebeker Karhohs is the inspiration behind the Kayla GBM Foundation. She was born on June 13, 1983 in Denver, Colorado and also lived in Walnut Creek, California and North Carolina before moving to Reno, Nevada when she was 15.
Kayla loved a lot of things, mainly those that involved a board. Snowboarding, skateboard and longboarding were among her favorites as were mountain biking, hiking, baking, crocheting, listening to music & going to concerts and basically anything random, wild and fun. Above all, she loved her mom, Connie, dad, Eric and all seven of her brothers and sisters. She graduated from Reno High School in 2001 and enrolled in the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Shortly thereafter, at the age of 19, Kayla was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This was a devistating diagnosis and an incredibly stressful experience for Kayla but after many operations and chemotherapy treatments, she fought the cancer from her body and made a full recovery. To the people that knew Kayla this was no surprise.
In the fall of 2005, Kayla graduated from UNR with a Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science with Distinction and a minor in Gerontology and by the summer of 2006, had been accepted into UCLA's Master's in Public Health program and dietetic internship. This was Kayla's dream school and getting into UCLA was a very important achievement for her. But before Kayla could even begin her first semester at UCLA, she suffered from a seizure while working at Renown Medical Center. She was later diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) in the right side of her brain. Kayla fought hard with the cancer and never gave up. She underwent radiation and Temodar but the tumor was growing too fast. Kayla's blood cell count was dropping from the chemo, making surgery too risky. With doctors telling her there was nothing more they could do and giving her two weeks to live, she was transfered to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah so she could be with her family. At the Cancer Institute, Kayla's blood cell count increased just enough to perform de-bulking surgery and 60% of her tumor was successfully removed. This released an immense amount of pressure in Kayla's head and immediately after the surgery she felt better.
Kayla was released from the cancer institute and moved in with her sister, Valerie. Soon thereafter on November 11, Kayla and her fiance, Kyle Karhohs, got married at the Salt Lake Temple. Kayla and Kyle had been together for over two years and loved each other with brilliant passion. The day they were sealed was the happiest day of their lives and both are very grateful for being able to have such a blessing.
A month later, Kayla Nebeker Karhohs died on December 12, 2006. She is loved and missed by so many.
Kayla cared greatly for her family and friends and was constantly worrying about and taking care of others. Through her illness her concerns were for the friends and family she would be leaving behind. She wanted to help people in her career, which is why she worked at Renown Medical Center and was set to get her Master's in Public Health and become a dietician. Kayla always wanted to make a difference wherever she was and by whatever she was doing. She always thought about others first and that is what The Kayla GBM Foundation wants to continue - the example Kayla gave in the way she lived her life.
OurLovelyWarrior.com A website created by Kayla's brother, Scott, when she was first diagnosed with brain cancer.
Wikipedia - Kayla Nebeker Karhohs A Wikipedia article written by Kayla's closest friends and family.
"Hardships inspire student. After undergoing chemotherapy, Kayla Nebeker 'Feels alive again'." An article about Kayla's first cancer. From The Nevada Sagebrush, University of Nevada, Reno; written by Matt LaFontaine.
"Benefit to assist woman stricken with brain cancer." Reno Gazette Journal. An article about a fundraiser dinner for Kayla. From the Reno Gazette Journal; written by Siobhan McAndrew.
"Getting fit, beating cancer. Kickboxers help graduate beating her second cancer." An article about the first fundraiser for Kayla. From The Nevada Sagebrush, University of Nevada, Reno; written by Clarissa Leon.