Help Kate Win Gold at the World Transplant Games in Dresden!

Kate is one of the kindest, most resilient people we know. We met her 24 years ago in our first prenatal class, and over the subsequent weeks we were lucky enough to forge our group of like-minded mums. During those first years Kate was always there to support us and as our friendships grew, we knew she was someone we could always count on. Over the years, we’ve seen her raise her three wonderful boys with strength and humour. We’ve shared in her deep love of animals, gardening, swimming, art and literature, and most importantly, in her care and compassion for others. It’s now our turn to help her!

In early 2021, Kate was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the blood cancer most usually diagnosed in children, rare in adults who also have far less positive outcomes. She underwent intensive treatment, culminating in a bone marrow transplant in December 2021. Kate credits her sister Lise, her donor, with saving her life. This all happened during the height of COVID, which meant an already terrifying time became even more difficult, particularly because she was left extremely vulnerable with no immunity at all.

Despite the challenges, Kate stayed incredibly positive and grateful—focusing on recovery, her family, and the gift of a second chance at life. She has been supported every step of the way by her friends and extended family, and especially her three sons and partner Kerri.

Post transplant Kate has been determined to show her kids that bad things happen sometimes, but you keep going, keep learning and having adventures.

Kate is a passionate advocate for organ and tissue donation and she is dedicated to giving voice to the lived experience of donors and

recipients. She has become a transplant athlete – competing at her first World Transplant Games in 2023 in Perth, 16 months post-transplant. Kate has now been given the amazing opportunity to further her advocacy this year by representing Australia in the World Transplant Games, Dresden, Germany.

But international travel is expensive, and because Kate has been unable to work since her diagnosis, the massive cost of insurance, as well as flights and accommodation, are just too much to manage on her own.

That’s why we’ve created this GoFundMe. With your help, we can make this dream a reality for Kate. Any amount—big or small—will make a difference and help her get to Dresden to celebrate life, resilience, and the power of organ and tissue donation.

Thank you so much for your support!