Community rallying behind Champaign stabbing victim's road to recovery
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The family of a Champaign stabbing victim is talking about how the community has helped them through their difficult times.

On March 22, a stabbing in Champaign near S Victor and W Healey Streets left 22-year-old Nathan Gudeman dead and 23-year-old Katy Lassy in critical condition. Now, Lassy’s family is opening up about the situation and sharing how the community has helped.

A portion of all proceeds on Wednesday from the Champaign Texas Roadhouse went towards Lassy’s recovery. Her mom talked about her daughter’s healing and how the community has uplifted them during this tragic time.

A Champaign couple was tragically split after the stabbing just over a month ago. Since then, the families of both victims have seen support.

“Nathan and Katy both had GoFundMe’s,” said Lassy’s mom, Katrina Durham. “And then we also have just been receiving lots of cards in the mail, just from strangers and friends and family.”

Durham said her daughter is slowly, but surely, on the mend.

“She continues to heal, physically, very well,” Durham said. “Emotionally, she’s got a long way to go, but she’s very resilient, and she’s a fighter.”

Lassy works as a bartender and waitress at Texas Roadhouse in Champaign. They were lending a helping hand through a fundraiser, with 10% of all purchases going straight to her.

“That is going to go straight to Kaitlyn,” Durham said. “It’ll help her pay her medical bills and her extended therapy bills.”

The road to recovery will be one Lassy travels with the company of a community and family behind her.

“We are just going to stand tall, stand strong, and whatever she needs, we’re going to help her,” Durham said.

For more information on how to help, visit Lassy’s GoFundMe page.

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