‘Join Kate’s Krew’ in UK dancer’s fight against cancer

Lexington: On Tuesday, a University of Kentucky student-athlete and nursing student started chemotherapy.

Kate Kaughling’s family received the news on June 2 that their 19-year-old daughter was battling an aggressive form of bone cancer.

“Kate, the beautiful 19-year-old University of Kentucky dancer, a nursing student with a 4.0 GPA, has cancer? It’s unimaginable and hard to even comprehend,” Tina Ladegast, a family friend, wrote to the GoFundMe she organized for the family. “Even as I sit here writing this, 14 days later, it’s impossible to believe. We’ve known Kate since she was a tiny yet spunky 7-year-old dancer at 360 Dance in Louisville, Kentucky.”

Kate noticed her lymph nodes were swollen, and after a month of tests and procedures, the biopsy sample contained cancerous cells. According to GoFundMe, it’s believed the cancer has spread, and she’ll begin with 10 weeks of chemotherapy.

“No family should have to face this alone,” Ladegast said. “Please give what you can and share with family, friends, and co-workers, and watch our Facebook page for updates on her journey. Thank you in advance for your financial support, love, and prayers for this beautiful young woman and her family.”