DOWNEY — A Downey family is racing to get their sick family member home for Christmas.

Jane Kimberly, 59, is facing a difficult reality at the end of a months-long battle with lung cancer that has since metastasized to her brain.

As she has spent increasingly more time in the hospital, her family is now looking for help to rejoin her loved ones for the holidays.

According to Kimberly’s sister, Dianne, the family has been racing to prepare for Jane’s Downey homecoming. Unfortunately, there’s a couple of obstacles in the way: cats and cash.

“A big part of it is the cats,” said Dianne. “Another part of it is she’s been unemployed since the pandemic hit. Her daughter lives here, and she’s unemployed. I’ve been supporting them. Financially it’s a big strain, and I’m kind of at the end of that.

“For her to come home, it is a financial issue as well.”

There are several cats that the family is currently looking to find new homes for.

The cat situation is currently being handled by Ann Burkhart, a friend of Dianne.

A GoFundMe has also been set up for those willing and able to donate. According to Dianne, what is received is being used to help pay a backlog of bills and medical expenses that she has incurred over the time of Jane’s sickness, as well as other basic necessities.

To this point, just under $2,100 has been raised.

For those looking to help the family financially, the GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/qpq2jr-love

For those interested in the cats, email mrs.2L8@aol.com.