In 2016, cancer was the last thing on Kathy’s mind. She was active, family-oriented, and immersed in the everyday joys of life—long walks, bike rides, and time with her two-year-old grandson, the love of her life. She had no symptoms and no reason to believe anything was wrong.
Then came the phone call.
Kathy and her husband had enrolled in an early detection study at The Princess Margaret, attending routine lung scans together. The first two were clear for both of them, so when the call came after the third scan, she assumed it would be the same. Her husband’s results were clear. Hers were not. Doctors had found something.
"I remember thinking, how can that be? It must be a mistake."
After that, everything moved quickly. Within days, Kathy underwent a PET scan, biopsy, and blood tests. There was little time to process it all—just ten days between the phone call and her official diagnosis. Though overwhelming, she’s grateful now for how quickly things progressed.
When her oncologist explained the diagnosis—non-small cell lung cancer—the words felt impossible to absorb. Her daughter sat beside her, while a resident quietly held her hand throughout the conversation. After surgery, that same resident made a point of coming to see her and saying, "I told you we’d get you through this." It’s a moment Kathy has never forgotten.
The treatment plan was straightforward: surgery to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue, followed by further decisions if needed. Having never undergone surgery before, Kathy was filled with questions—how would she breathe, would she need oxygen, would she be able to walk? Her care team answered each one with patience and honesty. What felt terrifying at first proved far more manageable. The surgery was successful, and she didn’t require chemotherapy.
For several years, Kathy’s scans were clear. Then in 2022, doctors noticed a spot on her other lung. It remained stable until 2024, when it began to grow. After multiple biopsies, the cancer was confirmed to have returned.
Kathy had to undergo surgery again, but this time – thanks to advancements in treatment since 2016 – the surgery was minimally invasive and could be performed laparoscopically. She was home the next day, and within weeks she was walking again and back at her senior women’s boxing program.
Today, Kathy’s scans are clear. She walks regularly, boxes several times a week, enjoys every second spent with her beloved family, and lives each day with gratitude.
"I think it’s wonderful, the opportunity that people have to be able to support The Princess Margaret. Every year there’s some new innovation coming out, and this happens because people are being generous...and hey, maybe you could win a cottage too!"