The Dani Rubin Kater Memorial Fund for COVID Care

The Dani Rubin Kater Memorial Fund for COVID Care supports and provides services and resources devoted to battling the coronavirus pandemic. The fund was established in memory of the late Danielle “Dani” Kater, 30, of Bloomington, Ill., who died Nov. 3, 2020, of COVID-19 complications. At the time, she was McLean County’s youngest coronavirus victim. Dani had no pre-existing health conditions and was not affiliated with a long-term care facility.

Dani’s parents, Tina and Bob Rubin, remember her as always being a kind, studious and passionate person. She was their only child.

Dani graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 2008 and earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Central College. She married her high school sweetheart, Timothy Kater, on June 21, 2014.

Within a week of receiving a positive COVID-19 test, Dani’s condition was deteriorating, but it wasn’t until she used a pulse oximeter that she discovered her oxygen level was only 60 percent, significantly lower than a normal reading. She was immediately admitted to intensive care and put on a ventilator, but she passed away in the hospital less than 24 hours later.

The Rubin and Kater families established the Dani Rubin Kater Memorial COVID Care Fund to help others take COVID-19 seriously.

“Although we are devastated by our loss, the opportunity to provide kits for those diagnosed with COVID-19 will assist with the grieving process,” said Tina Rubin.

The Fund initially provided free COVID Care Kits to Macon County individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, the fund has provided resources for vaccination public awareness campaigns.

The kits were first distributed at Crossing Healthcare; each kit contains the following:

• Two three-ply masks
• Pulse oximeter
• Digital oral thermometer
• Pill organizer
• CDC-approved surface cleaner
• Symptom log
• Educational and reference materials

“When a person tests positive for COVID-19, one very important way they can monitor the severity of their illness is through pulse oximetry, which is a measure of blood oxygenation,” said Tanya Andricks, CEO of Crossing Healthcare. “Based on guidance from your doctor, you can measure your oxygen levels, and if they drop below a level that your doctor determines, you will know it is time to seek emergency medical care. For many people, this level is 90 percent.

“Having access to a pulse oximeter allows a person to self-monitor their symptoms and know when it is safe to continue to recover at home versus when it is time to seek additional treatment,” Andricks continued. “This is good for patients and good for the healthcare providers who are managing significantly more people during this pandemic.”

Each Care Kit costs just under $40 and is from Communication Science, Inc., of Buffalo Grove, Ill., makers of Care Kit.

Contributions made payable to the Dani Rubin Kater Memorial Fund for COVID Care may be sent to the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, 101 South Main, Suite 400, Decatur IL 62523. Donations to the fund also may be made by clicking on this link.

“During this time of unimaginable grief for the Rubin and Kater families, we are humbled to help them establish Dani’s fund to help individuals with COVID-19,” said Natalie Beck, CEO of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation. “The uniquely-designed COVID Care Kit has been constructed to give patients easy-to-understand information and devices that are critical for successfully practicing self-care at home so they can stay safe and seek medical attention if needed.”