Kate McKenzie

Meet Kate McKenzie, who is a young brain cancer survivor battling a rare terminal cancer from multiple tumours causing perforations to both the small and large bowel and septicaemia permanently found in her blood stream called Desmoids. Kate is running out of time and her immediate goals are to turn 30 this year and be able to see her beautiful daughter finish her first year of school.

Kate was diagnosed with FAP, Gardner's and Turcot Syndrome at the age of 20 in 2009 when surgeons discovered multiple cancers polyps in her large bowel which they removed immediately and replaced with a J-pouch.

 In Short FAP is a faulty APC gene which protects humans from developing cancers, tumours, cysts, and polyps.

 The present treatment plan in place to save Kate's life is working slowly which is amazing however, currently not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) even after a nationwide petition of over 31,000 signatures of support. In addition, her medical care is too complex for the state, therefore Kates out of pocket expenses each month averages $3k as all specialists are privately sourced.

As you could imagine her family is currently under a lot of financial stress and would love the support of the community. You can help Kate and her family out in multiple ways by doing the following:

·       Donating here or via Rare Cancers Australia supporting Kate McKenzie for a tax deductible receipt 
https://treat.rarecancers.org.au/campaign/2064/helping-kate-mckenzie

·       Following and sharing Kates medical journey at Kindness 4 Kate
https://www.facebook.com/Kindness-4-Kate-755814927850896/
https://www.9news.com.au/national/calls-to-add-sorafenib-to-pbs-for-desmoid-tumours/e4599786-3e86-455b-aafd-780631372b92

·       Signing and sharing the petition in support of Sorafenib going on the PBS
https://www.change.org/p/bayer-australia-and-new-zealand-please-sign-for-sorafenib-to-be-available-to-fibromatosis-desmoid-tumour-patients-on-pbs?recruiter=529316792&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial.pacific_email_copy_en_us_3.control.pacific_email_copy_en_gb_4.v1.pacific_post_sap_share_gmail_abi.gmail_abi.pacific_email_copy_en_us_5.v1.lightning_2primary_share_options_more.control&utm_term=Search%3ESAP%3EAU%3ENonBrand-Tier%201%3EHead%20Term%3EExact&utm_content=fht-13584061-en-au%3Av2&fbclid=IwAR0Cdpsxfc1Tw8x9QqKldq5pgiaF_QONxtn6qUXR57wkASOLTYKGPbtJDz4

·       Hosting a fundraiser for Kate via the Rare Cancers Australia Helping Kate McKenzie campaign  
https://treat.rarecancers.org.au/campaign/2064/helping-kate-mckenzie

·       Sponsoring one of our fundraisers by contacting us at Kindness 4 Kate on Facebook or 0434494274
 

Thank you for your on-going support,

 

Kate McKenzie,

Patient of Rare Cancers Australia