Contribute to American Cancer Society in memory of Catherine (Katie)

In memory of

Catherine (Katie) Mary Kamiel

Ogden Dunes, IN

October 25, 1960 - September 29, 2019

Oct 25, 1960 - Sep 29, 2019

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My mom fought long and hard of almost 3 years of stage 4 lung cancer. She was blessed to receive the best treatment programs of clinical trials , doctors, and researchers at the University of Chicago. Without them we might have lost her sooner. They had people working around the clock to try the best treatment and solution to prolong her life. She started with immunotherapy in feb 2018, which flared her ulcerative colitis. She had an infusion treatment to get it under control , it worked. by Sept 2018 she was ready for 15 radiation treatments consecutive days in a row. It worked and shrunk her tumors almost completely. She had 4 cycles of a dbl chemo treatment with an infusion weekly . Two chemo drugs one week, next week 1 chemo drug, then a break. Each week also receiving an infusion. In July of 2018 she was having pain in her back that was unbearable. She returned to the university for emergency care. After diagnosis they learned of the tumors coming back tenfold and the cancer spreading everywhere. Including now one behind her right eye and multiple down her spine. She spent 5 long weeks there for another 15 radiation treatments, and infusion treatments. They sent her home with an intracel pump in her back and a catheter in her lungs and oxygen. They cancer spread into her lining therefore creating constant fluid on her lungs. She was home a week and half, and went for doc appts on 9/25/2019 and before her boyfriend could drop off the car with her at the door and return, she collapsed. The doctors now have tried everything, she was going for an infusion for the immunotherapy to try again. Unfortunately she exhausted all options and the cancer was rapidly spreading at a speed which they could no longer control. On sept 29,2019 she passed away peacefully.

My mom had the biggest heart and most beautiful soul. She loved her family and her friends dearly. Her positive attitude and outlook on life got her through the absolute painful times of her life, she deserved so much more. In the end my mom smiled and still tried to be positive and not show her weakness till the last breath. Life is too short literally . I wish everyone could strive and be more like her, she lead a beautiful example of what humanity and love is all the way around. Contribute to American Cancer Society

About American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at American Cancer Society

What is your mission?

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
How are donations used?

While most people know us for our research, we do so much more. We attack cancer from every angle. We promote healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer. We research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments. We fight for lifesaving policy changes. We provide everything from emotional support to the latest cancer information for those who have been touched by cancer. And we do it all 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call us on our helpline 1-800-227-2345 or visit us on cancer.org
What can be done with a $100 donation?

$100 can provide two free nights at an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge community to patients and their caregivers, saving them more than $5,674 in lodging costs. It also has the potential to provide 4 free rides to treatment for cancer patients who would otherwise have no means of transportation.
What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

By taking what we’ve learned through research and translating it into action, we’ve contributed to a 26% decrease in the overall US cancer death rate since 1991. That means that we helped avoid nearly 2.4 million cancer deaths during that time.
What is the history of your organization?

The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 and has been the leading cancer fighting organization since that time. We’ve been part of major Cancer Breakthroughs in the Past Century, such as:
• The first successful chemotherapy treatment
• The adoption of the Pap test for uterine and cervical cancer screenings
• Requiring a warning label on all cigarette packets
• The first to scientifically prove a link between smoking and cancer
• Helping pass legislation that banned smoking in public places
• The first to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of mammograms for early detection
• We have the most contributions to bedside treatment breakthroughs
• And we have funded the most (49) Nobel Laureates in cancer research