Cat's Battle Against Cancer

On Tuesday, June 27th we lost this beautiful soul. We appreciate everyone that has contributed and we are still accepting donations for impending medical costs, and now everything else to follow.

We will keep everyone updated regarding services.

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If you’ve ever met Cat Pennenga, you remember her striking red hair, her beautiful smile and her delicate nature. But most of us know her as a beloved figure in the wedding community that emanates passion, ambition and incredible talent.

But beyond her undeniable talent as a photographer, if you really know Cat, you love her. And you’ve experienced her empathy and compassion. No one has love and loyalty like Cat does for her friends and family. She is a golden hour, personified.

Which is why we’re here, asking for your help.

At the age of 47, Cat is facing a battle we never anticipated – Stage IV Lung Cancer.

Starting in mid-March Cat started experiencing a bad cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Her doctor initially thought it was asthma until it wasn’t improving with inhalers. In mid-April, she went in for her first CT scan of the chest where they found tiny nodules in her lungs which lead to endless bloodwork, 4 more CT scans, and a PET scan. Finally, a bone biopsy revealed her diagnosis in the middle of May. Adenocarcinoma: metastasized Stage IV Lung Cancer. There is no definitive explanation for this unexpected and serious diagnosis, especially with Cat not being a smoker.

A few weeks ago, we found out that her cancer carries an incredibly rare genetic mutation that responds really well to a new medicine, a targeted antibody infused with a small amount of chemotherapy. Cat and Greg were floored and hopeful to get this news as this new drug was approved for certain lung cancers just last year.

However, she has a long way to go, both physically and financially.

Currently, her symptoms are extreme shortness of breath (walking across the house gets her out of breath), coughing fits, occasional headaches and nausea, body pains, and fatigue. Some days are pretty good and others are ROUGH. Unfortunately, Cat will be unable to work for the rest of the year, especially with starting treatment the second week of June. Right now she needs to focus on her treatments so she can back to doing what she loves.

Both being artists, Cat & Greg pour their hearts into their work, each other, and of course their dog, Rufus. They live their lives on a small scale but this situation will greatly impact their household, to say the least.

So as friends, family, and a community, please help us join forces to help Cat fight and beat cancer's ass! To all our fellow photographers, videographers, coordinators, planners, florists, musicians, caterers – we are her people. We take care of each other ♥︎

Every donation, every kind word and every prayer is a step towards easing the burden of this difficult situation.

To know Cat, is to love her. Let’s show her some love. Please consider a donation to this beautiful human and her family.

“I am determined to beat this with the help of my amazing doctors and my strong faith in God” - Cat Pennenga

If your love language is food, please sign up for the meal train here! —> https://mealtrain.com/g6g913

*Professional photos by Everence Photography