A simple ask for support for a stranger turned into an outpouring of generosity from the Federal Way community.

When a friend’s prognosis shortened from 36 months to just six months remaining to live, a local Federal Way couple, who wished to remain anonymous, decided to host a garage sale to raise money and ease the financial strain.

The garage and yard sale for Kathy Perry will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at 2925 SW 312th Place in Federal Way.

The Federal Way husband and wife indirectly met Kathy Perry about eight years ago through the friendship of their own daughter and Kathy’s eventual daughter-in-law, Lindsay Perry.

Kathy Perry, from Magna, Utah, beat lung cancer (a non-aggressive type that filled her lungs with lumps) early last year and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma last year, Lindsay Perry said.

“She was given different expectancies for how much time she had left as treatments were started, but we were told that the treatments are to slow the growth of the cancer, not to cure it,” she said.

Kathy Perry, 47, had surgery to remove the tumor in September and finished chemotherapy last month. She had a free and clear MRI about eight weeks ago, Lindsay Perry said, but within a few weeks after chemo, the cancer had come back.

Kathy now has four new aggressive tumors growing around the site of her original tumor and doctors told her she can expect to live about six more months.

“Her family is everything to her,” Lindsay Perry said.

Kathy lost her mother to cancer as a teenager, and has a special needs sister that she was supposed to be the guardian for since her father is aging, she said.

She worries for her sister, her kids (especially her teenage son), her husband who has his own health struggles, and her three grandchildren — and one on the way she hopes to be able to meet.

Despite her own struggles, Kathy cares and worries for everyone else by checking up on neighbors and friends or offering service to them, even though it’s hard for her to get out of bed.

“I’ve always referred to her as an angel. She really is one of the most pure-hearted people I have ever met,” Lindsay Perry said.

The medical bills from her years-long fight created “pretty crushing expenses,” the garage sale host said, and even living states away, the couple decided to help however they could.

The Federal Way couple reached out to local residents via a community Facebook page, asking if anyone had a few items to contribute to a garage sale and explained how the proceeds would benefit the Perry family.

Lindsay Perry also set up Venmo, Paypal and Zelle accounts so people can get pay or donate directly without needing cash on hand.

The generous donations of Federal Way locals have raised $200 for Kathy — before even a single sale.

The sale will span the driveway and yard of the couple and their next-door neighbor due to the overwhelming amount of dropped off items. The couple may also host a second garage sale the following week for the remaining items not sold over the weekend.

Donation accounts for Kathy Perry