Help Kate survive the BRCA1 gene

Our gorgeous, brave, caring and supremely talented friend Kate Aria has the BRCA1 gene. They inherited it from their mum, who died aged 41 when Kate was just 15 months old. Several other female relatives also battled and passed away from multiple breast and ovarian cancers in their 40s and 50s. Kate turns 40 this year and was recently diagnosed as BRCA1 positive. Because of the BRCA1 gene defect they have a 72% chance of getting breast cancers, and 44% chance of ovarian cancers in their lifetime. And because the gene affects your ability to make protein to fight off cancer, these cancers grab hold fast, and they don’t let go. There is NO reliable method of screening for ovarian cancer. Its symptoms are often mistaken for everyday illnesses, and it is the most deadly gynaecologic cancer, with a 48% chance of surviving only 5 years. To attempt to ‘beat the gene’ before it can beat Kate, they have opted for risk reducing surgery. Surgery includes a hysterectomy and a salpingo-oopherectomy (uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries removed) on April 12th. Their double mastectomy and reconstruction will be September 14th. Kate wants to have the best chance of survival so they can be with their kids as they grow up. Chloe is 7 and Evan is 5 - and they want to be with their mum as they grow up too! The surgeries, appointments and loss of earnings will be in the region of $30K. Kate is a single mum, working in community arts with vulnerable people. Kate has a big heart and gives so much. So please help us to support Kate by making this difficult journey just a little bit easier.