Colon Cancer Takes a GREAT ONE - Kate Murphy

[eitter]

I did not see any posts about this and Kate Murphy was VERY active on ACOR and Fight Colorectal Cancer. She had the gift of researching anything and everything to do with ColoRectal Cancer and will be GREATLY missed! She passed yesterday 10-3-2012.

[Mojo]

Rest in peace Kate.

[lydia123]

Kate was a tireless advocate for cancer research. May her memory be a blessing.

http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/resear ... more-17045

KATE MURPHY: A Life Lived Well
Posted by Mary Miller on October 3rd, 2012
… Cancer has enriched my life. I look forward to each day with its special joys and new possibilities. I have learned to live completely and fully. And I hate to leave this life behind now that I’ve found it. – Kate Murphy, 1997.

(The full message and a poem written by Kate follow at the end of this post.)


The light dimmed a little today in the world of cancer research and patient advocacy. With deep grief but also gratitude for her life’s work, we report the passing of Kate Murphy, age 70, today (Oct. 3). While living 29 years with multiple Lynch-associated cancers and multiple sclerosis, she became one of the most respected patient advocates in the nation.

Kate was rare: She could knowledgably discuss cell-level biochemical pathways with world-renowned scientists; spin out concise, accurate reports all day long at a national oncology conference; and then, late at night in her hotel room, log onto an online cancer group and reassure a frightened, newly diagnosed patient with a blazingly clear summary of what steps should come next.

Diagnosed with her first (colon) cancer in 1983, Kate got her first modem in 1995 and within a month of its founding, joined the ACOR (Association of Cancer Online Resource) colorectal cancer group. In recent years she became the “list mom,” monitoring and frequently dipping into the online chats with carefully scientific yet compassionate explanations of everything from new drugs to complementary medicine to day-to-day symptom survival tips.

Kate was in the first group of Colon List members who joined forces to found the Colon Cancer Alliance in 1999, and in 2005 she was on the founding team of Fight Colorectal Cancer, where she worked as Director of Research Communications right up until her death. She often said, “Knowledge can break the desperate cycle of helplessness and hopelessness” for patients and families.

She didn’t just bring knowledge to patients; she took the patients’ perspective back to the professional and scientific community. She served on many scientific committees which reviewed grant proposals, monitored patient safety and developed clinical trial concepts (a partial list of her affiliations follows this article). Her work with these committees was deeply respected by both patients and experts.

(use the link to read more)

[gep]

She really was a great one. I can't believe she's gone and that it happened so fast. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Gloria

[adina91]

Kate was one of the first people I came across while researching Lynch Syndrome. After all the cancers she had been through, I found her tireless advocacy so inspiring and brave and for some reason I felt very close to her even though we never met. I read everything she wrote, kept up on her through her FB page and her blog and was so heartbroken when I found out her cancer had recurred. I don't know why this one has hit me so hard, maybe because of the lynch connection, but I am so wrecked by this loss and hope her family and husband can find peace in the fact that she was such a beautiful person and spirit and gave so much to others.

[WorriedWife]

Oh no!!!! This is so sad. She was such a sweet and caring person. I visited the CRC forum from time to time and she helped me sort out thoughts on chemo for stage 2 patients. I listened to some of her videos too. She was such a smart, educated woman. Gosh, I am just shocked! I know she was loved and respected by many. God bless you Kate.

[Kathleen808]

Although I did not know Kate, she was obviously a gift to all of us. What a beautiful woman. My she rest peacefully.

Aloha,
Kathleen

[elise]

Kate sounds like an amazing woman. I hope her family has peace today.

Elise

[pollo65]

I read about Kate's passing a couple of days ago---we have lost a true warrior and friend.
pollo 65

[Kathryn in MN]

I don't know of any single person who touched more colorectal cancer patient's lives than Kate. She was an incredible lady and has left a big void. She earned her rest. No more pain.

[vancouver eve]

Kate, will be missed. She was a great supporter and a wealth of knowledge.

[JAZZToo]

Kate, the survivor of 6 Lynch related cancers - 3 colon, uterine, endometrial and ovarian as well as breast cancer will be greatly missed by all who knew her. I know she is out of pain and at peace, but what is troubling, is that a Stage IIA colon cancer, metastacized and reappeared after 5 years of NED. Such early stage Lynch colon cancers are cured by surgery alone almost all of the time and the appearance of mets after 5 years is very rare and troubling. Just when it appears to be safe and "cured", the darn beast reared up and wreaked havoc on a person who had already been through so much and so many cancers. May she rest in peace.
Leslie
Lynch Syndrome
2003 Colon Cancer
1995 Endometrial Cancer

[NWgirl]

I never got to know Kate personally and I regret that. She was taken too soon - what an amazing and inspiring woman.

[jenhopesprays]

Love you KATE MURPHY,

Your kindness in my time of need still make me weep. You held my hand all weekend. Strong, stalwart and always real.

Sail on my friend. Sail on.

[Maia]

Love and respect to Kate. What a wonderful, intelligent and kind person. She will be alive in all those she has helped, during so many years.