Celebrating Life in All Its Complexity: Kathi’s Story of Love and Service

For Kathi, a retired preschool teacher with a quick smile and a love for a good book, the red doors of Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana represent more than just a place to volunteer. They represent her family’s legacy of resilience. 

Kathi is no stranger to the weight of a cancer diagnosis. Her family history reads like a roadmap of medical vigilance: a mother who faced breast cancer at 39 while raising six children; a grandmother who survived colon cancer to live to 103; and the heartbreaking loss of two brothers, Woody and Kevin. 

“In some ways, losing a sibling is harder to deal with than losing a parent, especially when they’re so young,” Kathi shares. “You share so much of your life with your siblings and know they had so much more to offer. It was – and is – very difficult to accept.”

Facing Her Fears to Celebrate Family

It was her brother Kevin who first introduced Kathi to the Gilda’s community. An adventurer at heart, Kevin participated in the inaugural Over the Edge fundraiser, fearlessly rappelling down the side of a downtown hotel to raise money for cancer support. Kathi was in the crowd, cheering him on from the ground, while purchasing her very first Gilda’s Club t-shirt. 

After Kevin passed away in early 2022, Kathi knew she wanted to honor his memory by diving deeper into the organization that had meant so much to him. She didn’t just walk through the doors; she eventually followed in his footsteps—literally. Kathi has now gone “Over the Edge” twice, rappelling from great heights to honor Kevin, her brother Woody, and her mother. 

“Kevin made it look so easy, but he’d always been adventurous. I was so proud of myself for getting through it… twice!” 

Good Work that Feeds the Soul

Today, Kathi is a familiar face at the clubhouse. As a Gilda’s Greeter, she is often the first person a member sees when they walk in or talks to when they call. Kathi also serves as a Gilda’s Ambassador, sharing the mission of Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana with the Louisville and Southern Indiana community at health fairs and special events. 

For Kathi, the benefit of volunteering is a two-way street. She provides a warm welcome and helpful information to those navigating the complexities of living with cancer, and that interaction provides her with a unique kind of fuel. 

“I think I get more from being here than I give. The positive atmosphere and the sense of community are so appealing to me. Meeting new people and being with the Gilda’s gang feeds my soul!” 

So No One Faces Cancer Alone

Gilda’s Club isn’t a place for medical treatment; it’s a place for living. Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana is a community designed to counteract the isolation, depression, and fear that often follow a cancer diagnosis. From yoga and healthy cooking classes to jewelry-making and drum circles, activities at Gilda’s four convenient locations provide the psychological and social anchor that families need.

Kathi’s story is a testament to the mission of Gilda’s Club: ensuring that no one faces cancer alone – including the family members and friends who walk the journey alongside their loved ones. She describes the clubhouse as a place that balances the seriousness of cancer treatment with a much-needed dose of activity, compassion, fun, and companionship.  

Whether she is helping out at a seasonal event like Noogiefest or bravely standing on a rooftop to raise funds, Kathi’s involvement is driven by a desire to give back to a community that makes her feel appreciated and cared for. 

“Gilda’s Club is such a positive, warm atmosphere,” she says. “I feel uplifted whenever I’m there.” 

For Kathi, Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana is where the fear of the future is replaced by the joy of the present. Whether it’s through a shared meal, a creative class, or going “over the edge,” Kathi has found a way to celebrate life in all its complexity.