Help Kathy Conquer Cancer
Donation protected
Hello Friends. Kathy Dornan’s family and friends are reaching out with a message to our community. Kathy realizes this is an extremely tough time for everyone, and is sensitive to adding any ‘asks’ to your already challenging times.
As many of you know, one year ago, Kathy faced the sudden and tragic loss of her only son, Harley. In the past year, she has undertaken a journey of grief therapy and healing, while continuing to practice her coaching services, and contributing to her Grandson JJ’s emotional and educational support and care.
Last month, she was given the frightening diagnosis of ‘advanced high grade serous stage 4 ovarian cancer’. This is actually considered a category of palliative care as the cancer is not curable. At this point, surgery is not possible, because of the risky position of the tumour related to other organs. On June 23rd Kathy began a nine month chemotherapy protocol. The hope is that this will shrink the tumour and allow surgical removal in about four months. The diagnosis is particularly unusual, as Kathy had her ovaries removed in 2011, as a preventative measure given her Mom died of ovarian cancer in 1990. As her oncologist said to her, “This is just really bad luck”. And unfortunately, ‘this cancer has teeth’.
Since the diagnosis, she has had two scary and painful trips, one by ambulance, to Emergency, for treatment of cancer pain.
As a self-employed entrepreneur without the safety net of benefits or disability support, this “Go Fund Me” page is being set up by members of Kathy’s family and friend circle. The goal is to help reduce the stress of financial worries in order that she can fully devote her time, energy, and resources to get “downgraded” to a more manageable diagnosis.
Donations will be used to help with prescriptions, supplements, dietary needs, and integral treatments including a naturopathic oncologist, chiropractic and massage treatments, acupuncture, vitamin infusions, and symptom side effect management.
In her role as a life, business, and leadership coach, as a friend, Gramma, and as a family member, Kathy has touched the lives of many in her unique, loving, and inspiring ways.
As a teenage mom, wife, and widow all before her 17th birthday, Kathy put herself through school and trained to become a leader and Executive Director in the local and national women’s advocacy movement. In 2000 she was so fortunate to discover her ‘life calling’ as a professional life, business, and leadership coach and facilitator, and has served and inspired (and been inspired by!!) hundreds of clients and groups through that time. In 2016, she became a Government of Canada contract coach and facilitator.
In addition to her professional career, the role of caregiver and advocate has found Kathy. Thirty years ago she proudly served as a primary caregiver up to end of life care with three special people: to her Mom during her 3 year ovarian cancer battle, to her grandson Dub who lost his battle with leukemia at age 3, and for 7 years as a companion and advocate to ‘Wilma’, a close friend and ‘second mother’ with Lewy Body dementia.
How does one process an advanced and palliative cancer diagnosis? True to her nature, Kathy intends to give it her “all”, recognizing that she will not likely be able to practice coaching full time while receiving treatments and having surgery. She hopes to heal and regenerate, and spend precious time with loved ones. If energy and strength are in her favour, she will blog and record this cancer process from a curious coaching perspective of how to do the best we can with ‘what is’, and explore how this ‘cosmic two by four’ might transform her life. She feels it’s time to fully walk the talk of one of her coaching principles; that ‘how we do anything is how we do everything’. Deep healing, rest, good vibes, and everyone’s love, and prayers are needed right now.
Any support whatsoever at this challenging point in her life, is appreciated beyond words.
Kathy says: “It is as if I have just received notice of my potential life deadline. ‘Tick, tock’. Never have life’s priorities been so vividly clear or has mindful presence been so obvious. And if I make it through this, I am going to throw the best outdoor summer dance party you’ve ever seen!”
Thank you friends, thank you family, thank you community, for Helping Kathy Conquer Cancer.
June 27, 2020
As many of you know, one year ago, Kathy faced the sudden and tragic loss of her only son, Harley. In the past year, she has undertaken a journey of grief therapy and healing, while continuing to practice her coaching services, and contributing to her Grandson JJ’s emotional and educational support and care.
Last month, she was given the frightening diagnosis of ‘advanced high grade serous stage 4 ovarian cancer’. This is actually considered a category of palliative care as the cancer is not curable. At this point, surgery is not possible, because of the risky position of the tumour related to other organs. On June 23rd Kathy began a nine month chemotherapy protocol. The hope is that this will shrink the tumour and allow surgical removal in about four months. The diagnosis is particularly unusual, as Kathy had her ovaries removed in 2011, as a preventative measure given her Mom died of ovarian cancer in 1990. As her oncologist said to her, “This is just really bad luck”. And unfortunately, ‘this cancer has teeth’.
Since the diagnosis, she has had two scary and painful trips, one by ambulance, to Emergency, for treatment of cancer pain.
As a self-employed entrepreneur without the safety net of benefits or disability support, this “Go Fund Me” page is being set up by members of Kathy’s family and friend circle. The goal is to help reduce the stress of financial worries in order that she can fully devote her time, energy, and resources to get “downgraded” to a more manageable diagnosis.
Donations will be used to help with prescriptions, supplements, dietary needs, and integral treatments including a naturopathic oncologist, chiropractic and massage treatments, acupuncture, vitamin infusions, and symptom side effect management.
In her role as a life, business, and leadership coach, as a friend, Gramma, and as a family member, Kathy has touched the lives of many in her unique, loving, and inspiring ways.
As a teenage mom, wife, and widow all before her 17th birthday, Kathy put herself through school and trained to become a leader and Executive Director in the local and national women’s advocacy movement. In 2000 she was so fortunate to discover her ‘life calling’ as a professional life, business, and leadership coach and facilitator, and has served and inspired (and been inspired by!!) hundreds of clients and groups through that time. In 2016, she became a Government of Canada contract coach and facilitator.In addition to her professional career, the role of caregiver and advocate has found Kathy. Thirty years ago she proudly served as a primary caregiver up to end of life care with three special people: to her Mom during her 3 year ovarian cancer battle, to her grandson Dub who lost his battle with leukemia at age 3, and for 7 years as a companion and advocate to ‘Wilma’, a close friend and ‘second mother’ with Lewy Body dementia.
How does one process an advanced and palliative cancer diagnosis? True to her nature, Kathy intends to give it her “all”, recognizing that she will not likely be able to practice coaching full time while receiving treatments and having surgery. She hopes to heal and regenerate, and spend precious time with loved ones. If energy and strength are in her favour, she will blog and record this cancer process from a curious coaching perspective of how to do the best we can with ‘what is’, and explore how this ‘cosmic two by four’ might transform her life. She feels it’s time to fully walk the talk of one of her coaching principles; that ‘how we do anything is how we do everything’. Deep healing, rest, good vibes, and everyone’s love, and prayers are needed right now.
Any support whatsoever at this challenging point in her life, is appreciated beyond words.
Kathy says: “It is as if I have just received notice of my potential life deadline. ‘Tick, tock’. Never have life’s priorities been so vividly clear or has mindful presence been so obvious. And if I make it through this, I am going to throw the best outdoor summer dance party you’ve ever seen!”
Thank you friends, thank you family, thank you community, for Helping Kathy Conquer Cancer.June 27, 2020
Fundraising team: Team Kathy (9)
Kashtin De Souza
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC
Kathy Dornan
Beneficiary
Kevin Wong
Team member
Luella Cook
Team member
Sally Cook
Team member
Heather De Souza
Team member
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