UPDATE: October 2024
Kate has now become eligible for a multi-visceral transplant. This lifesaving surgery has been performed in various locations around the world, and is now available in Melbourne. It involves receiving a new stomach, duodenum, pancreas, colon and small intestine.
As Kate’s condition is one of the worst doctors have seen in Australia, they believe the surgery is critical for her survival. The urgency of this transplant is paramount as her body is currently fit for the operation, but there’s a significant risk her organs will deteriorate if surgery is delayed.
Based in Brisbane, Kate will need to travel to Melbourne for the procedure, which also means being separated from her family and friends during her recovery.
Kate has been battling a genetic disease; Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), since she was 20 year old.
Sadly, this same disease took her mother; Wendy's life, almost 30 years ago, when Kate was just 5 months old.
Kate is a loving sister, daughter & friend, but most importantly, a much loved wife & mother to 5 year old Lucia.
Over the past 10 years, Kate has already overcome many challenges relating to Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) syndrome, including the removal of many tumours, her small bowel & the diagnosis of brain cancer 3 years ago. At this time, she underwent Chemotherapy & Radiation to reduce the size of her brain tumour & have it successfully removed.
Recently, Kate has been hit with more devastating news. She now has 4 inter-abdominal Desmoid Tumours obstructing her bowl, that are inoperable & non-responsive to chemotherapy & radiation treatments.
Kates is running out of time. Her immediate goals are to turn 30 next year be able to see her beautiful daughter walk through the school gates for her first year of school.
However to achieve this, she needs your help.
Kates last treatment option is a medication called Sorafenib, which has proven successful in treating Desmoid Tumours for patients in America. Sorafenib is available in Australia, however our government has done very little to advance it’s accessibility since Kates mums passing 30 years ago, resulting in Sorafenib not being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Kate & her family face a cost of 100k a year to access this life saving medication, to manage the size of Kates Desmoid Tumours & keep her alive.
Despite her illness & daily health struggles, Kate has also been campaigning for other sufferers of Desmoid Tumors, holding multiple meetings with government & health officials, to effect change & have Sorafenib listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Whilst there is still a way to go before Sorafenib is recognised on the PBS, the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital have kindly agreed to support Kate with partially subsidising funding of this life saving medicine for the next 6 months. Kate hopes that this will advance our understanding of the use of the medication to treat Desmoid tumours & help other suffers.
This partial funding subsidy is agreed for 6 months, however kate still faces many health issues & their associated costs, & uncertainty around any further support with funding after this 6 month period has expired. Please help Kate in funding her medical expenses & help her to achieve her goals with her family.
Even small donations can have a big impact & are appreciated & valued to no end.
Thank you to my Sponsors
$54.12
Anonymous
$27.81
Christine Zahren
Wishing you all the very best for your health.
$25
Diane Nash
Praying you get to your goal and also the life saving surgery you need. Sending lots of strength x
$11.65
Anonymous
$27.81
Anonymous
$121
2 Operational Conversion Unit, Royal Australian Air Force
$46
Data#3 National Logistics Team
$20
Chris Meldrum
All the best in the future and i hope you reach your goal of $100,000
$100
Georgie
Praying for you all xx
$50
Aunty Valerie &family
$100
Nana Xxx
Nana’s little koala. Love you heaps and stay strong xoxo
$30
Anonymous
$50
Dennis &sunita Smart
hope this will help stay strong kate
$50
Anonymous
Wishing you a Christmas surrounded by family, love and hope 😊
$300
Jess
Lots of love from the Eastes family. Merry Christmas xx
$5
Anonymous
$1.3k
Data3 People Solutions
Wishing you all the best, from the team at Data#3.
$200
Ronal & Ashleigh Kumar
Hey guys wishing you all the best for 2019 xx
$500
Super Retail Group Limited
from the Supercheap Auto Merch Team
$8.61k
Super Retail Group
auction fundraising
$300
Andy & Family
I am sure you will turn 30 and over, so keep getting better.
$2.46k
Super Retail Group
$100
Tracy Egoroff
Your strength is my guide
$50
Pam
Sorry it's not more but hopefully every little helps....
$1.4k
Kindness 4 Kate
Family bingo fundraiser, special thanks to all our sponsors and those who attend to support Kate
$200
Bimm's Bbq Chargrill
It was awesome meeting Kate, her positive attitude towards life is inspiring!!!
$200
Nicole Wilson
Best wishes to you all Kate
$20
John & Josie
We read about you in The Messenger. We hope you are able to win this battle! with our love xx
$100
Yess Chef...french Crepes
We wish you all the best.
$300
Thirsty Chiefs
$100
Mandy Payne
Wishing you and your family all the best
$25
Pam Dfk
$30
Linda Moss
$50
Lisa Phillips
$20
Angela Johns
$30
Ann Maree Sankowsky
Best Wishes Kate
$10
Anonymous
$100
Paul
All the best Kate
$239
Dfk Hirn Newey
All the best Kate!
$50
Anne Maclennan
All of my love & good wishes to you and your family, Kate. Xxx
$100
Bev Biddulph
$100
Alida Romano
Keep happy lovely lady.
$200
Damien Linck
All the best Kate. I hope you get your wish. Keep fighting. 🙏🏻
$100
Andrew Brayshaw
$50
Amanda Hewa
Hi Kate I was researching Desmoid as I just found out I have it. I hope things have improved for yo
$50
Anonymous
$5
Anonymous
$1,000
Anonymous
$200
Cian Irwin
$200
Cian Irwin
$160
Cian Irwin
$160
Cian Irwin
$150
Paul Sandifer
NZ sending support
$100
Stanley Tooley
This is a small gift for you at Christmas nothing major, but it might help if I can donate to your course at Christmas Be a time To see your families and friends
$150
Anonymous
$120
Daniel Mudge
$180
Julie Antal
$100
Anonymous
$50
Mitchell And Ziva Sayers
$20
Jo
Good luck to you and your beautiful family
$100
Stephan Card
$50
Anonymous
$150
Anonymous
$10
Anna-lisa Mcnamara
Good luck Kate hope you reach your goal wish I could give more x
$50
Anonymous
So sad to hear of your struggles Kate. Will be praying for you & your family.
$20
Phil Mason
This is a one off for Kate Mckenzie. I would appreciate no follow requests as I support other chari
$10
Lisa Knights
Best wishes 💕
$30
Tony
I hope you get through this.
$10
Anonymous
Praying for healing 🙏🏻
$30
Jacqui
I’m so sorry for you and your family. My thoughts are with you.
$50
Dane
Stay strong Kate
$40
Carolyn Norton
All the best Kate and family
$100
Vera
Best wishes Kate for a successful outcome for you and your family. Stay strong beautiful lady.
$10
Raph
I cant afford to give much, but it's still something. Keep Fighting!
$30
Nooh
Get Well
$20
Anonymous
$50
Sue
God Bless you & your family. S
$30
Alicia & Mila Clarke
$50
Jana
$50
Dianne Russell
Prayers for you and your family Kate....
$50
Anonymous
$50
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
I too have Desmond tumour and thank you for your courage and wish you the best
$150
Claire And Matty Kreg
We love you xox
$500
Anonymous
Keep strong
$100
Errol&patricia Gouws
Wishing you a successful treatment
$30
Anonymous
Stay Strong
$100
Anonymous
Behind you and believing you will beat this!
$500
Katina Drakakis
hope all goes well
$100
All The Best
$30
Agnes
I wish you the best of luck with your journey.
$30
Rachel Mcgann
$50
Cat Zaini
$250
Brooke Pitcairn
Sending my love xx
$100
Shannon Thompson
❤️
$50
Mal Heseltine
Fight hard and stay strong Kate. God bless.
$100
Sue Lonsdale
$50
Katie Mcintosh
Good on you for fighting this, Kate, and getting the word out for others too! <3
$40
David Gisz
$100
Andrew Green
Hoping this helps, wishing you all the best
$50
Alan Hampshire
Hope things go well for you
$100
Gail Poole
Wishing you all the best Kate. I will keep you in my prayers.
$20
Anonymous
$150
Cathy Wilson
$200
Jaco Kruger
Get well soon!!!
$30
Anonymous
$100
Kirsty T
$1,000
Billy, Jessica & Eva Mooney 🏴
Still the bravest person I know and brilliantly still full of laughter and mischief. ❤️ U McKenzie x
$100
Susan
You are very strong and brave, good luck in this journey and thank you for putting this out there.
$200
Maddie
$30
Brian Mccarthy
$350
Evan And Phoebe Donaldson
With love to Kate and Brendan. We are thinking of you. Ev and Phoebe
$50
Cat Zaini
$30
Donna
$50
Tracey Pitcairn
$30
Kaliope
Hello Kate Im friend's with carmen wishing you all the best for your treatment xx
$10
Kristen Wehlow
$300
Ashley Absolom
For your family and your future xx
$40
Anonymous
❤❤❤
$50
Jacque Birch
Thinking of you and your little family Kate xx
$100
Anand Shanmugam
Grow Strong.
$106
Life Stream - Chocolates Sold In The Office
Best wishes Kate
$30
Anonymous
$165
Kia Cairns
Tupperware Party Fundrasier Profit xx
$10
Brian Gene Postle
$465
Emma Brown
Funds from scrunchies 4 kate, addition monies from Tupperware kia cairns and donations from friends
$10
Nat
$20
Good Luck💖
$100
Barbara And Bob
Your strength and passion for life moved us both Kate!
$100
Anonymous
$5
Anonymous
$10
Lisa
Only a small drop in the large ocean I know but hope it helps x
$1,000
Gary And Lindy Clarke
We are thinking of you Kate and family. Stay strong and keep fighting. Love and hugs XXX
$60
Undurba Kindy
Hi Kate, this is the money raised from Crazy Socks Day xx
$100
Peter Hrstich
Keep strong Kate!
$100
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
$5
Megha Arora
$100
Anonymous
$20
Anonymous
$30
Dinell Perry
$1,000
Anonymous
Inspirational story - keep fighting
$30
Anonymous
your focus is inspirational! Praying for a positive outcome
$100
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
$50
Jacinta Doyle
Keep going, you can do it!
$100
Manish Acharya
Stay strong. Our prayers and best wishes are with you.
$25
Wayne Faulkner
Sorry to hear about your condition and hope this will help you achieve our goal of raising the cost
$5
Renae - Team Member Srg
All the best xx
$30
Rachel Hodge
Good Luck with everything, stay strong!!
$30
Anonymous
$10
Dean Jones - Srg
$50
Monica
$200
Rory
With you Kate
$50
Kara
Best wishes to you and your family
$50
Rebecca Roberts
$500
Steven
$100
Sophie Goujon-nicolas
my best wishes 🌻
$50
Anonymous
$25
Jacques Chung
Best wishes Kate!
$10
Luke Habib
$20
Madeleine Wildey
Good luck Kate!
$30
Ann Shek
Petition signed! And just a little donation to help towards treatment...
$100
Mark M
$30
Narry
$50
Yvonne
Best wishes Kate!
$10
Surendar Baskar
God bless you Kate!
$20
Sara Crump
$30
Marnie
$100
Anonymous
Hi Kate, I don't know you but I do know that you deserve access to this treatment. I hope this helps
$10
Lynda Mitchell
Wishing you all the best Kate
$100
Anonymous
$30
Leisel Mccormac And Benjamin Beck
Hi Kate :-) All the best with getting access to this medication. Thinking of you and your family 💜
$20
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
$10
Kristen
Will keep giving money each pay cycle as I can Kate xx
$50
Bernie Andrews
$30
Bernie Blandford
Keep fighting, wishing you all the very best.
$30
Natalie Agius
Good luck & my heart truly goes out to you xxx
$30
Gail Millar
Blessings to you and your lovely family
$10
Rebecca Barry
$10
Anonymous
All the best Kate
$20
Simon
$10
Anonymous
$100
Jess Richards
Sending all my love from my family to yours! I don’t know you but I think of you all the time xxx
$30
Anonymous
$20
Brad Phillips
$30
Nadine
Good Luck Kate xx
$5
Rachael Juby
I support you! Fight and don’t stop fighting! Love and light xx
$30
Felipe Binotto
All the best Kate.
$100
Alison C
Good luck with your treatment Kate.
$50
Dot
God bless you, your beautiful daughter deserves her mother around for as long as possible xx
$50
Jenny Lowe
Crossing my fingers and saying my prayers for you Kate! Be strong x
$100
Marc Moussa
$20
Anonymous
$20
Chrissy Pearce
Your story broke my heart I hope you can get what you need xxx
$30
Danielle Toselli
Stay strong xxx
$20
Bailey's
Hope this small gesture helps
$20
Charminie
Get well Kate soon!
$10
Sharon
Wishing you all the best xx
$150
Mother Duck Childcare And Preschool Centre Kallangur
$30
Eva Aydostan
$30
Kerry Clark
$30
Sarah
Beautiful family, wishing you guys all the best xx
$30
Leigh Sharpe
As an old neighbour, I am so sorry to read this. Best wishes to you and your family x
$100
Florence Bees
Good luck Kate. I wish you all the best. (I’m Jenny’s Aunty, from the UK).
$100
Jenny And Adam Leach
We are all here for you Kate. You can do this!! xxx
$100
Graham Kapinga
Hi Brendon & Kate, I hope this small contribution helps you on the way to a full recovery.
$50
Anonymous
$50
Wendy
Best wishes Kate and family xx
$300
Jillanne, Matt, Finny And Ash
Hopefully this one rounds you off to be able to get your first month of meds!
$50
Greg And Rose Hay
Best wishes for your treatment Kate.
$400
Jacquie Speirs
All the best Kate!!
$50
Eve - Claire Friend
Stay open to possibilities x
$100
Love Emma , Paul ,jackson And Christian Xxx
We love you katie girl....we hope this helps xxxx
$2
Anonymous
$5
Anonymous
Hope you reach your goal, goodluck!
$30
Anonymous
Keep fighting! Never give up hope!
$50
Anonymous
$30
Kait
$50
Anonymous
$50
Anonymous
$100
Nicola Carden
You are in our prayers hun, keep fighting xx
$20
Anonymous
Prayers for you and your family x
$200
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
$10
Anonymous
$20
Anonymous
$100
Ydoug N Pam
Good luck Kate. Hope all turns out well for you and your family.
$50
Anonymous
$20
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$30
Gilson And Flor Do Vale
Best of luck! We r with u!
$500
Werpirates Pty Ltd
Us merry band of Pirates wish you a safe, happy and long life voyage
$10
Anonymous
$20
Cj
Love & Light
$10
Anonymous
$50
Alicia Talese
Keep fighting kate, you will win!!! God bless x
$10
Anonymous
$100
Jennie
Go for it Kate!
$100
Anonymous
$30
Zara Seeto
I am only two years old but I hope this helps
$20
Anonymous
$70
Kelly Herold
Hi Kate. So very sorry to hear about this 😢
$25
Bill & Gwynne
Hi Kate - all kids deserve to have their Mum around when growing up, we believe you can do this
$40
Claire Tovey
Hi Kate, I worked with Brendon at st Lucia gold course, thinking of you guys xx
$30
Angela
Don’t give up
$30
Anonymous
$30
Hannah Baker
$30
Porowini Lucchiari
Wishing you well x
$100
Anonymous
God Bless
$100
Tayla And Carl
Best wishes in achieving your dream.
$50
Emma Lucey And Family
$30
Trudy
Hoping you can reach your goal Kate x
$20
Anonymous
Sending you and your family love and strength x
$20
Anonymous
$20
Anonymous
Praying you reach your goal soon. Sending love and strength. X
$50
Lucy Connolly
$50
Anonymous
$50
Kerry
$30
Anonymous
Wishing you a long and healthy life
$250
Brooke Pitcairn
You're loved by so many people :)
$50
Anonymous
$20
Katie
Sending all the love xxx
$30
Nick & Anita Harding
Sending all our love, positivity & strength to your gorgeous family xx
$50
Sue De Chastel
$200
Jessica And Linda Lane
All the best, Kate x
$100
Sarah Toia
$50
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$10
Corinne Clarke
Wishing you every success Kate, you brave girl. x
$100
Stef And Family
❤️💪
$10
Maria Nicholas
$30
Anonymous
$250
Kate And Richard Vines
With our very best wishes. Stay strong
$100
Jacky
Best Wishes Sista x
$100
Cassie And Matt
Our thoughts are with you Kate Xx
$500
Narelle
I wish you all the luck in the world.
$1,000
Edgar
$100
Garry Fetherston
$250
Moranbah Fun Run Club
Good luck Kate, love from your new extended friends and family in Moranbah,
$100
Glenys Gayfer
Stay strong my thoughts & prayers are erin you and your family
$100
Lyn Preston
$100
God bless you and your family Kate