In March 2016, at 35 years old, Kate was diagnosed with de novo stage IV breast cancer; 5 years before she even reached the recommended age for a mammogram as touted by the early detection and awareness campaigns. Breast cancer does not run in her family and her lifestyle did not put her into a higher risk category – proof that no individual is immune from the risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. In addition to the two tumors in her breast, the cancer had metastasized to several spots on her spine, her pelvis and the top of her femur.
During the course of her chemotherapy treatments in 2016, multiple surgeries since diagnosis, and her continuing intravenous targeted monoclonal antibody treatments, Kate became acutely aware that the early detection approach is not working to reduce deaths from metastatic breast cancer – especially amongst women under 40. She is always mindful that due to drugs developed as a result of dedicated MBC research, her treatments are effective and for the time being her cancer is not active. She will remain in treatment for the rest of her life to insure it stays that way. However, these specific medications are only able to treat a certain subset of metastatic breast cancer. She is committed to fighting for increased funding for MBC research so that every patient has the opportunity to live to see the development of well-tolerated treatments that work for ALL of those diagnosed with the disease. She knows first-hand that these scientific breakthroughs are possible if the funding is there to support their development.
Kate has advocated for the needs of those living with MBC through participation in the annual Stage IV Stampede in Washington D.C. and she has led local efforts that raised over $35,000 for METAvivor in the last year. Additionally, she was the 2020 recipient of the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio “Jones-Hendryx Forever Fighter Award” as a result of her commitment to increased research funding, her advocacy work and coordination of local MBC patient support groups. Kate has also recently joined the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and will serve as a consumer reviewer.
A graduate of Ohio University, Kate resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband of over a decade, Scott, their two perfect daughters and one very needy rescue dog, Ruby.
