Kate's Courage

Kate (Hannahoe) Cogan is a loving, kind, and cheerful person, someone who simply radiates warmth. For those of you who know her, you likely can only picture her with a smile on her face. For those of you who do not, believe me when I say she presents a warm smile and a sunny disposition in every encounter. She is a wonderfully devoted and patient mother and wife, a caring sister, daughter, aunt, and niece, and a very thoughtful and loyal friend. Each of us in Kate's life would agree that she makes our world a better place.


In July 2020, Kate was taken to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Within 24 hours, she had emergency surgery to remove a large tumor in her colon. Soon after, Kate was diagnosed with colon cancer that has also spread to her liver and lungs. She is awaiting consultations with Penn Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering to come up with an aggressive treatment plan.


To say this news came as a shock to Kate and her family and friends is quite an understatement. In the midst of a pandemic that has already rocked all of our lives, the Cogan family must now also put Kate's precarious health at the very forefront of their everyday lives. On the bright side, Kate's positive spirit and optimistic attitude continue to shine through. She is making the best of the situation and focusing on getting her body as strong as possible to fight this battle.


Kate is back at home now and recovering from her surgery. She is enjoying being with her beautiful family including her children, Cullan (9), Declan (8), and Vivian (6). Due to COVID-19, the family will be quarantining in their home, and their children will be participating in virtual school this fall. Kate, a former elementary school teacher in the Wilson School District, has been at home raising her children for the past three years, as well as watching other young children who have been fortunate enough to be in her care. Her husband, Connor, also a former teacher in the Reading School District, will now be the main source of income for their family. Connor works in sales and is able to work from home at this time, but with the uncertainties of both Kate's treatment plan as well as COVID-19, there are so many financial unknowns for the Cogan family. As we all know, costly medical expenses are not all covered by insurance.


As Kate's family and friends, our hearts are aching as we try to help their family in any way that we possibly can. This is not a diagnosis that any family should have to endure, particularly at the age of 38. Due to COVID-19 and the family's need to remain distanced from the virus, it is harder than ever to share our love with them and let them know that they are not alone. Please join us in sending prayers, virtual hugs, and Godspeed to Kate, Connor, and their family. If you are able, please consider opening up your heart and helping to relieve the financial burden for the Cogan family by donating to this very special cause, Kate’s Courage.


In Connor's words, "One love."

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Connor is staying super positive and doesn't want the kids to carry any negative stress right now.

Here is an excerpt from one of Connor's family update texts he sent out the morning after Kate's surgery :

I taught the kids some sayings this morning, and examples of what they meant.  Somehow our conversation ended with them giggling a bit and we all laughed and hugged and tickled/wrestled and were “happy” for a moment in time...

Our new mottos we came up with for them are:

1.) “hold down the fort"

2.) "Be on your “A” game"

3.) “spread the love"

The 3 fingers we put up, as we said each one of those created the symbol for "I love you."

I explained to them that mommy just needs us to be AWESOME and follow those mottos and it will help her get better and recover.

I know she will fight like hell to beat this!!

❤️❤️❤️