Kate has been battling a genetic disease; Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), since she was 20 year old.
Sadly, this same disease took her mother; Wendy's life, almost 30 years ago, when Kate was just 5 months old.
Kate is a loving sister, daughter & friend, but most importantly, a much loved wife & mother to 5 year old Lucia.
Over the past 10 years, Kate has already overcome many challenges relating to Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) syndrome, including the removal of many tumours, her small bowel & the diagnosis of brain cancer 3 years ago. At this time, she underwent Chemotherapy & Radiation to reduce the size of her brain tumour & have it successfully removed.
Recently, Kate has been hit with more devastating news. She now has 4 inter-abdominal Desmoid Tumours obstructing her bowl, that are inoperable & non-responsive to chemotherapy & radiation treatments.
Kates is running out of time. Her immediate goals are to turn 30 next year be able to see her beautiful daughter walk through the school gates for her first year of school.
However to achieve this, she needs your help.
Kates last treatment option is a medication called Sorafenib, which has proven successful in treating Desmoid Tumours for patients in America. Sorafenib is available in Australia, however our government has done very little to advance it’s accessibility since Kates mums passing 30 years ago, resulting in Sorafenib not being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Kate & her family face a cost of 100k a year to access this life saving medication, to manage the size of Kates Desmoid Tumours & keep her alive.
Despite her illness & daily health struggles, Kate has also been campaigning for other sufferers of Desmoid Tumors, holding multiple meetings with government & health officials, to effect change & have Sorafenib listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Whilst there is still a way to go before Sorafenib is recognised on the PBS, the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital have kindly agreed to support Kate with partially subsidising funding of this life saving medicine for the next 6 months. Kate hopes that this will advance our understanding of the use of the medication to treat Desmoid tumours & help other suffers.
This partial funding subsidy is agreed for 6 months, however kate still faces many health issues & their associated costs, & uncertainty around any further support with funding after this 6 month period has expired. Please help Kate in funding her medical expenses & help her to achieve her goals with her family.
Even small donations can have a big impact & are appreciated & valued to no end.