After helping so many others raise funds for their treatment, I now find myself in the similar position.
Having lived half of my life with a rare and incurable form of cancer and fighting for equitable and affordable access for 12 years through Rare Cancers Australia, the charity Richard and I founded, I had hoped that I wouldn’t be in the situation of having to self-fund for my treatment.
But here I am.
My ongoing battle
I was first diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer 33 years ago. The initial shock was overwhelming, as it would be for any young mother. Despite early surgeries and other treatments, my cancer has slowly progressed and spread to other organs and bones.
I live in constant and, at times, excruciating pain. My cancer is relentless and keeps moving, which has led to severe complications and has ultimately limited my treatment options.
Despite this, I remain determined to fight this disease, and the inequity for rare, with everything I have.
I look back to the day that Richard and I established the Patient Treatment Fund in 2014. To date, RCA has seen more than $5.5 million raised towards directly supporting access to a patient’s cancer treatment, and potentially saving their life.
Now, ten years on, I find myself in the ironic situation of needing to have my own PTF page and seek support for the significant out-of-pocket costs that lay ahead.
Discovering Theranostics
As my cancer progresses, my treatment options are increasingly limited. The fact that my cancer is very rare means that no treatments are funded through either Medicare or the PBS – a story familiar to all rare cancer patients and what led Richard and I to set up RCA all those years ago.
I have tried many established therapies, and the remaining options are such that my body can simply no longer tolerate them. I am left with one final hope and that’s a form of nuclear medicine, called Theranostics. A novel treatment that simultaneously seeks and attacks cancer cells whilst leaving healthy cells untouched. After discussions with my treating clinicians and the experts delivering Theranostics in Australia, I am certain that this is my best option.
However, the cost of this life-saving treatment is significant. Terbium is the radioactive isotope that will be used. It costs between $10,000 - $13,000 per infusion. I understand I will need 4 rounds. As this treatment is not PBS funded, many of the associated costs involved are also not covered. It is only available in Brisbane, so I will need to travel and stay there for each treatment cycle. If Terbium is not successful, another isotope – Actinium, is available. The cost of it is approximately $25,000 per dose.
I believe I will need to raise around $100,000 to cover all these costs.
Financial Impact
Raising $100,000 is no small feat, and I know, having supported hundreds of others through RCA who have had to do the same.
The financial burden is immense, and the options are limited, having exhausted my savings on previous treatments. I am retired and need to access my superannuation or remortgage the family home if the money can’t be raised some other way.
Asking for help is very hard. I have counselled so many patients in the past about the injustices of our health system and why it is okay to ask but when faced with the reality myself it is immensely challenging. I am however, out of options.
Hope on the Horizon
As I said earlier – I am determined to fight this. My journey is far from over. While the road ahead is fraught with challenges, I remain hopeful and determined. The possibility of undergoing Theranostics has rekindled a spark of optimism in me.
Every donation, every word of encouragement, and every gesture of support brings me one step closer to the treatment I so desperately need. The support of the rare cancer community and the promise of new treatment options offer a beacon of hope.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has been there and continues to be there for me as I go through this very uncertain and scary time. Anything that you can donate is truly appreciated.
Thank you to my Sponsors
$260.75
Brett & Lyn Hibbert
$10k
Anonymous
$25
Jon Bale
Dear Kate, really hoping that you reach your fundraising goal and that the treatment is kind to you…
$50
Marlene Blundell
Thinking of you Kate.
$20
Anita Mcgrath
Love and hugs to you Kate.
$100
Michael Niyes
$500
Leanne Clarke
Dearest Kate, We will never forget the depth of your compassion and the incredible support you gave our family. You are in our hearts and prayers. Leanne, Daniel, Josh, Katelyn & Sarah Clarke
$300
Anonymous
Thank you for the work you do and for leading from the front with your own fight. You are an inspiration to all.
$100
Tina Forgione
May your strength, compassion and determination continue to guide you. Your kindness in taking time to speak with me when I was diagnosed with Medullary Thyroid Cancer in 2020 gave me hope. Thank you
$50
Rod & Fran Cashmere
Wishing you all the best Kate
$100
Anonymous
$50
Catherine Murray
$100
Australian Gynae Cancer Foundation
Our best wishes for success with the treatment Kate, thank you for your enormous efforts to support many people with rare cancers, sharing hope, best regards, Leonie Young, Aus Gynae Cancer Foundation
$50
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$50
Glen Ramos
As a fellow MTC person I'm seriously hoping that this works out for you!
$500
Tiffany Boughtwood
Big hugs from the Boughtwoods, Kate. Matt and Tiff x
$500
Anonymous
$50
Ngan Huynh
$5k
National Press Club Of Australia Incorporated
$250
Bryan Mcdonnell
You've got this Kate. Thinking of you always. Bryan, Casey & Grace x
$50
Joan Bartlett
My opportunity to say thank you to you. Wishing for great outcome.
$50
Catherine Thum
$50
Anonymous
Dear Kate. I am very grateful for the help Gorlin syndrome patients have received from Rare Cancers Australia. We hope and pray that this treatment helps you fight your rare type of cancer.
$200
Anonymous
$50
Warren Brooks
Wishing you the very best Kate.
$1,000
Cappre
We are with you all the way Kate
$100
Tania Jayesuria
Thinking of you Kate, and sending all my love to you and Richard. x
$100
Phil Mathews
Thinking of you at this time Kate.
$100
Maree Adair
All the best Kate x
$100
Peter Baldwin
$1,000
Peter James
$5k
Timothy Hancock
$100
Nigel Marks
Fingers-crossed for theranostics. You've done so much to help all of us in the rare-cancer community
$50
Collette Barton
$500
Anonymous
Dear Kate, always a trail-blazer, I hope that you are successful in funding theranostic treatment, that it is blazingly successful, providing evidence to support PBS funding for rare in the future.
$50
Melissa Lim
Get well soon Kate! Keeping you in prayers!
$100
Grahame Hackett
You have done so much, Kate, to help so many others. Now you can feel they are all there, right at your side, willing you through this one.
$50
Tristan Haberley
$50
Kate Faktor
Best wishes to you Kate and Richard on the journey ahead.
$200
Andrea Lauer
Wishing you well Kate xo
$200
Deborah & Paul Love
Thinking of you Kate, and sending all our love to both you and Richard.
$50
James Mcadam
Best wishes Kate!
$50
Anonymous
$1,000
Anonymous
You are not alone in this fight. Love & hugs!
$50
Tracey Hamilton
I have donated previously, but I’m back again. Me am my 4 kids have men2a. I now have another 2 types of cancer! But I want to say thank you and wish you the best of luck. I wish I could give more xo
$100
Bec Hands
Sending hugs, healing and the best of wishes Kate. You are an inspiration.
$100
Anonymous
Kate, you are a champion.
$50
Edwina L
$100
Casey Virgin
We are all with you Kate xx
$150
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
You and Richard have been an inspiration to follow. My brother needed access to life-saving medicine at a cost of $60K and I well know the financial impact of this. Fight with everything you have!
$150
Anonymous
$50
Loris Quick
May you have success with your treatment. With my very best wishes.
$100
Anonymous
$100
Paul Madden
$50
Anonymous
All the best Kate with your treatment. Thinking of you and Richard. Stay strong.
$50
Janine Cawthray
Sending you love and support, and most all…hope. Hopefully our small contribution assists xxx
$30
Melisa Gray-ward
$100
Hayley Andersen
Sending all my love, Hayley xx
$50
Lois Ulyatt
Sending best wishes for the success of this fundraiser and for your treatment. Strength and love. xxx
$100
Anonymous
$1,000
Anonymous
Keeping you in thought and prayer Kate.
$50
Anonymous
$50
Catherine Compton
I too have a rare thyroid cancer. Wishing you strength and hope.
$200
Anonymous
$50
Edwina Jenkins
Best wishes, Kate.
$500
Cathy Slattery
The strength and hope you have tirelessly given to so many, for so long, way overshadows the support you now seek. Thinking of you and Richard, knowing your fighting spirit will prevail. Cathy & Terry
$100
Chrysti Moran
$20
Jane L
$500
Suzanne Betro
Your organization and story were such a huge help and guidance through our own rare cancer journey, it provided so much light when the world felt so dark. We are so grateful to you.
$50
Joanne Ohalloran
$1.5k
Trevor Burns
All the best Kate
$1,000
Trisha Cashmere
The Cunningham’s all wish you the very best Kate.
$250
Sharyn Clarke
$100
Emma Bonser
Kate, we are sending love and hope to you alongside our infinite gratitude for all you have given
$50
Jane Ludemann
From one rare advocate to another
$300
Rob And Khush De Rose
You are an inspiration. We wish you all the best.
$5k
Carlo Montagner
I always admired your spirit of generosity Kate, and so happy to see others are repaying this. Best wishes Carlo
$500
Amanda Carlin
With gratitude for all of the wonderful support you gave to my daughter Louisa Steckenreuter. Wishing you great success in your treatment.
$30
Angela Rowe
$1,000
Lillian Leigh
Sending much love to you Kate from the Leigh family.
$100
Karthik Margabandu
You've touched the lives of so many patients in a very meaningful way. I hope you are able to pull through this too Kate! All the positive energy to you.
$20
Anonymous
$250
Frank Stoss
All the best!
$1,000
David And Mandy Thomas
Love you, Kate—Mandy and David.
$200
Krystal Barter
So much love to you Kate and Richard ❤️
$1,000
Byron & Cassandra Muntz
$20
Anonymous
$200
Rachael Bylykbashi
Sending you lots of love and best wishes Kate. From Rachael and Family xoxo
$50
Trevor Gare
$150
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$100
Cate Mitchell
Wishing you all the best Kate. Keep strong. Cate Mitchell
$100
Anonymous
Good luck Kate
$100
Michele Robbins
Wishing you all the best Kate!
$1,000
Prashant Nikam
Kate, you are an inspiration and voice for so many cancer patients/ survivors … wishing you the very best! Love, Mukta & Prashant
$100
Adam Lynch
It's our turn to help you Kate. A little something in return for everything you have done to support the rare cancer community. All our love & support from BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia x
$200
Rachel Lin
$30
Ricardo Maldonado
All the best with your treatment
$50
Anonymous
$100
Andrew Davies
$50
Joanna Adamson
Thank you Kate for your strong advocacy and support for people living with rare cancers!
$50
Anonymous
$50
Anonymous
$200
Kerrie Branch
$30
Anonymous
$50
Bronwyn White
You have given us all so much, I hope this can help in return.
$50
Anonymous
Sending you much much love and healing vibes ❤️
$50
Anonymous
$100
Lainie Hull
I have Peritoneal Cancer so disgusted with our system that does nothing to help rare cancers. The medical costs are prohibitive to us patients. Good luck on your journey Lainie
$25
Anke Woeckel
Hi Kate, I hope your pain and worries will improve, go away and that sufficient funds will be donated to get the best treatment for you.
$50
Anonymous
$50
Greg Cook
Wishing you all the best Kate as you continue on your journey - an inspiration for all of us.
$100
Jessica Pereira
Hi Kate, I’m so saddened to hear this and I pray that this treatment goes well. I wish you only the best. You’ve got this xo
$50
Barbara Cheney
All the best for your ongoing treatment
$50
Sue Burnet
All the very best Kate.
$500
Marty Jovic
$100
Ekawat Suwantaroj
Gel well soon!
$50
Anonymous
$500
Rachel Lewis
❤️
$100
Carolyn Allen
Kate - you are a remarkable woman. What you and Richard have created with the charity is inspiring. Sending love, support and healing prayers for the next chapter. ❤️
$100
Simon Fifer
Thinking of you Kate. Simon and Sara
$200
Jennifer Webster
Hi Kate, sorry to hear of your predicament and we wish you a very positive outcome. You were a shining light for us when Matt was so ill, and may the light shine brightly for you Hugs- Webster famil
$100
Anthea Kiu
Kate, you’re an inspiration to many. I’m praying and cheering for you in Singapore.
$100
Anthea Kiu
Kate, you’re a true inspiration to many. I’m praying and cheering for you in Singapore 🙏🏻
$100
Sanchia Aranda
Sorry to hear this Kate. Good luck on your treatment journey.
$100
Fanny Schappler
Sending positive thoughts your way!! Fight on 💪❤️💪
$100
Isabelle Ryder
$200
Kristen Renshaw
Thanks for all you’ve done and wishing you the best in this next chapter.
$50
Claire Carton
$25
Anonymous
Wishing you the very best Kate
$250
Peter Murphy
Sending all our love and best wishes Kate
$3.5k
Nathan Walters And Dean Johnston
$200
Vicky Cutler
With love and hope to you The Cutler family
$100
Anne Wilson
This is not much Kate but am sending this with love and prayers that you are able to access the treatment you need. X🙏
$200
Vicky Cutler
With love and much hope for the new treatment. With love the Cutler girls
$200
Tiffany Petre
XX Tiff and Ren
$100
Christina Cho
An army of people are cheering you on. All our love to you and Richard. Nico, Vlad & Christina xx
$100
Anonymous
$100
Kathie Potts
We are with you, just as you have were for us and many others. Sending all our love and hope 💗 Kathie, Adam, Annabelle, William, Juliette and Vivianna 💗💗💗
$20
Anonymous
$100
Sharon Winton
Omg Kate you can do this and sending this with hugs and love for the journey ahead
$200
Christine Amelia Cockburn
Christine and fam x
$100
Namita Srivastava
Rooting for you Kate!
$1,000
Heng & Hurst
$1,000
Anonymous
You are an inspiration to us all Kate. <3
$100
Sarah Clausen
Your courage inspires us all, and we stand with you during this challenging time. Sarah, Shane and family xx
$250
Zarli French
$1,000
Rob Crossman
Good luck Kate. After helping so many of us, we’re all rooting for you xx
$100
Tanya Van Der Wall
Sending love and strength to you Kate.
$100
Megan Brodie
You changed the course of so many lives for the better. Here’s hoping our community can now do the same for you.
$50
Emily Forrest
Solidarity Kate and Richard
$1,000
Alex Majewski
You got this Kate! Love Alex & Todd xo
$200
Jodie Thomas
All the very best, Kate. Wishing you health and happiness.
$250
Jaime Mccoy
Best wishes to you Kate.
$250
Rachel Stanton
You got this Kate!
$1,000
Liz De Somer
Fighting with you xxx
$100
Matt Britland
You are very loved Kate
$500
Mark Brooke
You are both loved and held in the highest regard.
$200
Natalie Clancy
Thinking of you and here for you Nat Clancy & boys xx
$100
Amanda And James Mathews
Thinking of you both and sending our love.
$200
Eri Nishiuchi
Thinking of you, Kate - you’ve got this!
$100
Mark Lin
Fighting! Sending love from Singapore
$150
Ute Ribbe
Wishing you from the bottom of our hearts only the best, Ute & Klaus Ribbe
$50
Alina Cancescu
$100
Sharon Musgrave
Wishing you all the best for this next part of your journey and thank you for all you have done for others
$200
Anonymous
$250
Tim Macnamara
You have defied the odds for many years, may you continue to do so for many more!
$100
Alicia Cook
Sending all the vibes to you, you incredible woman.
$50
Alison Bolton
Best wishes. Ali B
$200
Elise Kelly
Your personal fortitude and absolute passion to support others is an inspiration. Take care.
$250
Anonymous
$1,000
Josie Downey
Your strength and compassion have been an inspiration for so many, Kate. Sending you love and best wishes ❤️
$50
Anonymous
$500
Noel Dyett
$50
Jane Lampitsi
$100
Jennifer Kaczorowski
Wishing you all the best with your treatment Kate. Sending much love.
$100
Namita Srivastava
I’m rooting for you Kate!
$50
Lara Sutherland
Wishing you a speedy recovery Kate much love x
$30
Anonymous
$1,000
Orspec Pharma
We know how much you have done for patients. Our to help you.
$30
Laura Issa
$100
Cathy Sertori
Wishing you love, peace and strength as you have always given to others 🙏
$300
Adam Jay
Sending all of my best and strongest wishes!
$100
Suzanne Ward
$100
Jaime Macedo
All behind you Kate. Nicole, Jaime and the kids
$100
Petrina Stamenkovic (keogh)
Sending you love and strength, Kate. You were there for me during my own cancer journey, as well as for so many others. Now, it's our turn to rally around and support you. xxx
$200
Anonymous
$500
Arshiya Zaheer
Sending you love and best wishes!
$20
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
$200
Michaela Dinboeck
Kate wishing you that the options will bring the desired success. Thank you for everything you and Richard do for patients. My very best wishes, Michaela
$1,000
Anonymous
All the very best Kate. You deserve all the support in the world
$5k
Bruce Goodwin
$100
Rachel Norager
My heart is with you both, Kate and Richard x
$100
Zeina Gray
$150
Fiona Palmer
Sending all best wishes Kate. There's an army of people behind you!
$50
Anonymous
$100
Anonymous
Good luck Kate - you've got this!
$200
Michelle Stewart
Kate, I remember you calling me on behalf of individuals with brain cancer in the early days. You are an incredible advocate and deserve all the support in the world.
$50
Stacey Allerton
$200
Ann Single
With love and gratitude, Ann & Glenn
$50
Pollyanna Clayton
You are an inspiration Kate! Stay strong
$100
Stefanie Hodge
Sending love and support to an amazing, strong woman.
$50
Anonymous
All the best in your journey Kate.
$1,000
Ian Black
$100
Lisa Maguire
I am sending all my positive vibes your way Kate. I don't feel I am doing enough but I hope this helps in some small way. xxx Lisa
$100
Nikki Kerr
Sending all our love and strength to you at this time Kate and Richard, love Nikki, Taylah and Justin xxx
$100
Bron West
$100
Alex Best
Good luck, Kate!
$100
Rita Corrente
Thinking of you Kate and sending you love. Rx
$250
Jannette Cotterell
Sending all my love and hugs to you, Richard and family. You have got this! Love Jannette
$50
Christine Mcmenamin
Wishing you every success with your treatment Kate. You are a truly remarkable human and Pete and I sincerely hope what goes around comes around for you and Richard. Chrissy
$100
Kate Dykes
Wishing you well deserved success with lots of love xxx
$75
Claire And Craig
All our thoughts Kate and Richard
$150
Stephen Richardson
Hi Kate - wishing you all the best. God speed on your recovery.
$50
Jacqui Lidgard
Sending much love and strength to you Kate xxxx
$1,000
Rod & Carol Whittington
$200
Krystal Barter
We got you Kate.
$200
Mark Caniniti
$100
Tim Gaske
You helped me and my family. I hope this small amount helps a little
$50
Karen Winkler
$200
Paul Brown
We all hoped this day would never come. Love to you from all of my family.
$100
Sally Berecic
You helped our daughter Kathryn. Thank you! I hope our small contribution helps you achieve your goal.
$100
Leigh Simmonds
In your corner Kate as you have been for thousands of others. ❤️
$100
Nash Chance
Wishing you all the best, Kate
$100
Chris Tanti
I know the amazing work you and Richard have done for the community . The whole sector is behind you.
Hi Kate this is only a small gift to help you on your journey. As you and Richard did to our beautiful daughter on her journey through cancer. All the best to you.